Tertiary violence prevention in a football sport organization: a case study

Abstract

This article describes a tertiary intervention procedure in a public football training organization in which there were various verbal and discriminative violent manifestations, identifying: organizational violence, violence from spectators or unconditional fans (families), violence between equals and discrimination based on of genre. The system sample included the mayor's office (n=1), political manager (n=1), delegation technician (n=1); family members (n=360); and protagonists, which include the sports director (n=1), coaches (n=6) and players (n=360). The intervention occurred by a sports psychology professional specializing in violence with a reformulated role as technical director in 4 phases: adjustment, stabilization, acceptance and confrontation, and progress. The measures and actions were directed both at agents and at procedures and criteria that supported the structural culture of the organization. After four years of implementation of the program, the contracting administration described the results as successful, highlighting a reduction in violence in the organization. This success is reflected in a 25% increase in the total number of players, from 360 to 450, and in a notable 215% increase in female participation, which grew from 16 to 50 players. Less violence causes more satisfaction and therefore increases participation.

Keywords. Prevention. Tertiary. Violence. Organization. Football.