Racial Segregation by Playing Position in the English Football League: Some Preliminary Observations

Abstract

Over the last 17 years, research has shown that blacks are significantly underrepresented in spatially central playing positions in major league baseball and professional and college football. The present study extends the research literature by analyzing the racial characteristics of playing positions in English football (soccer). Data were obtained from 468 1st Division players. Chi-square analysis revealed that blacks were overrepresented at the noncentral forward position and underrepresented at both the spatially central midfielder position and "functionally" central goalie position. The "stereotype hypothesis" was used to explain the overrepresentation of blacks at the forward position and their underrepresentation at the midfielder position while the "outcome-control hypothesis" was helpful in explaining the goalkeeper data. It was speculated that these patterns of racial segregation by playing position may be the result of discriminatory practices by white management.