Ethics And Deviance In Sport Flashcards
(28 cards)
Deviance in
• Based on fair play, respect, honesty, and integrity.
• Tied to traditional values like sportsmanship.
What is deviance in sport
• Deviance = behaviour that goes against societal or sporting norms.
• Can involve rule-breaking, cheating, or illegal acts.
Fair play
means following the rules of the game and playing with honesty and integrity by not resorting to gamesmanship or cheating to win.
Sportsmanship
-qualities of fairness following the rules, being gracious in defeat or victory. when a performer plays to the written and unwritten rules of the game. They show honesty and integrity when performing; respect for umpires and opponents, as well as winning with grace and losing with dignity.
Gamesmanship
Known as “bending the rules”. Gamesmanship is not following the etiquette or unwritten rules of a game in order to win. This usually involves using cunning breaking the written rules of the sport e.g. intimidating the referee.
Cheating
means breaking the written rules of a sport.
Deviance
Behavior that falls outside the norms of what is thought to be acceptable
Pressures leading to deviance for performers
• Pressure to win (from coaches, fans, sponsors).
• Financial incentives.
• Fear of losing contracts or sponsorship.
• Peer influence and cultural norms.
• Desire to gain an edge (e.g., drug use, gamesmanship).
Pressures leading to deviance for spectators
• Alcohol consumption.
• Tribalism and rivalries (e.g., hooliganism).
• Media-fuelled narratives increasing tension.
• Poor security or crowd management.
The impact of commercialization on the sportsmanship ethic and the growth of gamesmanship in the uk
Impact on Sportsmanship:
• Traditional values like fair play are often lost in elite sport.
• Pressure to win, perform, and please sponsors can erode ethical behaviour.
Growth of Gamesmanship:
• Gamesmanship = bending the rules without breaking them (e.g., time-wasting, feigning injury).
• Commercialisation encourages it to gain results and protect investments.
Examples:
• Diving in football.
• Intimidating referees.
• Tactical fouling.
Types of deviance
- Drugs & Doping:
• Historical: Use of stimulants by cyclists in early 20th century.
• Modern: EPO, anabolic steroids, human growth hormone.
• Blood doping/transfusions: Increase red blood cells for endurance (e.g., Lance Armstrong).
• Diuretics: Masking agents or rapid weight loss.
• Painkillers: Continue playing while injured — long-term health risks. - Simulation (Diving):
• Pretending to be fouled to gain advantage (gamesmanship turning deviant). - Corruption & Financial Crime:
• Bribery: Influencing match officials.
• Bungs: Illegal payments to secure transfers.
• Match Fixing: Pre-determined results for betting gains.
• Betting Syndicates: Organised criminal involvement.
When does deviancy increase
- as prize money increases
- people will cheat to win
Causes of deviance
In the 1960s–70s, Eastern European communist countries used sport for political gain, often encouraging doping like anabolic steroid use to boost success. The media also influences deviance; the pressure and fame linked to media attention can lead athletes to cheat. However, advanced technology, such as the ‘snick-o-meter’ in cricket, makes cheating harder and encourages honesty.
Some athletes, like those in the BALCO scandal (e.g., Dwain Chambers), used undetectable drugs like THG, showing how testing limitations can be exploited. While drug testing is strict in some sports and countries, it’s weaker in others, lowering the risk of getting caught and reducing deterrence. Some justify cheating by claiming others are doing it too. Additionally, prejudice—such as racism or sexism—can drive some athletes to deviance.
Deviance in sport
Financial
• The commercialisation of sport increases the rewards for success (e.g. salaries, sponsorships, endorsements), making cheating more tempting due to what’s at stake.
Pressure
• Pressure from coaches, sponsors, fans, and teammates pushes athletes to do “whatever it takes” to win (e.g. Ronaldo with Nike; Lance Armstrong).
• Spectator and media demand for records and spectacle also heightens pressure.
Perception & Expectation
• A “win at all costs” culture encourages deviance.
• Fear of losing opportunities leads some to cheat.
• Belief that “everyone else is cheating” normalises unethical behaviour.
• Some gamesmanship (e.g. diving, sledging, referee intimidation) is expected and even celebrated.
• Deviant behaviour can bring media attention—“no such thing as bad publicity”.
• Institutionalised cheating by countries or coaches (e.g. Russia’s Olympic doping) reinforces this mindset.
Opportunity & Technology
• Advanced technology and drug access make cheating more possible and harder to detect.
• Narrow performance margins due to widespread access to tech may lead athletes to see cheating as the only way to gain an edge.
Media Coverage
• Traditional and social media add pressure to succeed.
• High-profile exposure of cheats can make deviance appear widespread and accepted.
How governing bodies work to reduce deviant behavior
- Drug Testing
• NGBs work with WADA and national anti-doping agencies to detect and prevent illegal drug use. - Rule Changes
• Rules are updated to discourage negative behaviour (e.g. red cards for tackles from behind, restrictions on dangerous bowling in cricket). - Encouraging Positive Behaviour
• Initiatives like Fair Play leagues reward good conduct with opportunities like Europa League qualification. - Improved Officiating
• Professional referees are better trained, fitter, and regularly review decisions to improve performance. - Use of Technology
• Tools like video replays help officials make more accurate decisions (e.g. in rugby and cricket). - Fines and Bans
• Harsh penalties (e.g. lifetime Olympic bans for doping like Dwain Chambers) deter deviance. - Retrospective Punishments
• Incidents are reviewed post-match, allowing fines, suspensions, or points deductions after the event. - Campaigns & Education
• Campaigns like Kick It Out, Respect, and 100% Me aim to tackle racism, promote respect, and encourage drug-free sport. - Codes of Conduct
• Clear behavioural guidelines are set for players, coaches, and fans to promote fair and respectful behaviour. - Behind Closed Doors Sanctions
• Teams may be forced to play without spectators due to fan misconduct, impacting morale and revenue.
What is the lombardian ethic
It changed the attitudes to winning being the most vital part rather than taking part. Do anything to win
Should we allow performance enhancing drugs
Yes
- it will be equal if everybodies doing it
- the rich can afford to buy drugs
-the battle against drugs is very expensive
- detection isn’t effective
- there is a level playing field for all
- difficult to define drug as compared to aid
- sacrifices performer makes to achieve success is very personal
- high performance leads to more spectators
No
- dangerous
- its an endless cycle
- cheating
- doesn’t give everybody a advantage if your taking
- role model effect’- peer pressure
- sport is about using natural talents
- very costly
- only rich will be able to afford so there is a uneven playing field
Responses to Deviance
Governing Bodies:
• FIFA, WADA, IOC, UKAD, etc.
• Set rules, issue bans, educate athletes.
• Introduce sanctions and drug testing.
Government and Law:
• Legislation in some countries (e.g., Italy & match-fixing laws).
• National programs for clean sport.
• Criminal investigations (e.g., Operation Aderlass in cycling).
Use of Technology:
• VAR, Hawk-Eye, TMO — to improve fairness.
• Biological passports — detect long-term doping trends.
• CCTV and facial recognition — combat spectator deviance.
Role of WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency)
Purpose:
• Promote clean sport worldwide.
• Monitor compliance with anti-doping rules.
Key Roles:
• Publish and update the WADA Prohibited List.
• Coordinate out-of-competition testing.
• Support education and research.
• Maintain the Athlete Biological Passport system.
• Enforce sanctions and bans (e.g., Russian state doping scandal).
Festing affair
The Festina Affair (1998 Tour de France)
A major doping scandal that exposed widespread cheating in professional cycling and led to the creation of WADA.
⸻
What Happened:
• Festina team staff member Willy Voet was caught at the border with banned drugs (EPO, testosterone, etc.).
• Investigation revealed a systematic doping program, confirmed by team doctor Eric Ryckaert.
• Top riders, including Richard Virenque, were implicated.
• The Festina team was expelled, and riders protested with a sit-down strike.
⸻
Impact on Sport:
• Exposed how organised and widespread doping was in cycling.
• Damaged public trust in the sport.
• Led to stricter drug testing and development of the Athlete Biological Passport.
• Catalyst for WADA’s formation (World Anti-Doping Agency in 1999).
• Set the stage for later scandals like Operation Puerto and Lance Armstrong
Reasons for taking drugs
- pressure to win the medial sponsors, coach, peers and fans
- financial incentives
- aids recovery
- train for longer
- rivals taking supplements
- small margin between winning and losing
Reasons against taking drugs
- legality
- take away from natural talent
- financial constraints’- side effects
- not knowing what’s being taken
- not knowing the long term health effects
- can lead to over dependence
- morals
Drug use is increasing- explanation and evidence
-evidence from the number of athletes failing drug tests such as in cycling and athletics
-evidence from drugs being used across many sports not just the typical but boxing too
-evidence of police investigations not just governing bodies
-more money spent on catching the cheats’
-invention of more sophisticated drugs to beat the tests
-greater publicity and bans given to failed tests
-increased pressure on the need to take drugs in order to meet the demand
Counter argument of taking drugs
-drugs have always been apart of sport e.g. Tour de France
-extensive use of drug during Cold War athletics leading to a need for sex testing and identify and classify athletes
-possible conflict in duties within bodies
-more awareness
-more media attention produced viewing that there are more cheats
-there are more funds allocated to catching drug cheats post festing affair
