Explaining elite athletes’ corruption behaviours: a comparative analysis of doping and match fixing

Abstract

Through a qualitative application of the theory of planned behaviour, the research aimed to increase understanding of elite athletes’ reasons behind intentional and actual doping and match fixing. Adopting a descriptive phenomenological approach, media interviews, admission statements and testimonies from dopers and match fixers were analysed using deductive content analysis. The final sample comprised 21 elite athlete match fixers from 15 nations and 33 elite athlete dopers from 10 nations. Whilst all three theories of planar behaviour variables were found to influence doping, only attitudinal and subjective normative beliefs influenced match fixing. Despite some similarities between doping and match fixing themes, differences exist between the primary corruption motives and unique doping attitudes emerged. By identifying the reasons behind elite athletes’ engagement in corruption the results can be used to better inform the design of preventative doping and match fixing strategies within elite sport.