The spillover effect from FDI in the English Premier League

Using data of 1992–2012, this paper considers the spillover effects resulting from the increased flow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the English Premier League focusing, in particular, on competitive balance, measures of football productivity and intrafootball spillovers. Results indicate that not only has the competitive balance in football been reduced but that overseas investment has impacted both upon the productivity of the clubs under foreign ownership and those which continue under domestic ownership. The empirical contribution of this paper indicates the relevance and importance of both spillover and FDI theory to that of the football industry.     

The influence of situational variables on ball possession in the English Premier League

Abstract

The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to examine the influence of situational variables on ball possession in elite soccer and (2) to quantify the variables that discriminate between high or low percentage ball possession teams (HPBPT and LPBPT) across different playing positions. Match performance data were collected from English Premier League matches using a multiple-camera system. Data were examined using linear regression, a 2 × 5 factorial analysis of variance and discriminant analysis. Playing against weak opposition was associated with an increase (P < 0.01) in time spent in possession while playing away decreased (P < 0.01) the time spent in possession by ~3%. Possession was increased (P < 0.01) when losing than winning or drawing. Finally, the better the ranking of a team, the higher (P < 0.01) the time spent in possession. The playing position effect was significant for all variables (P < 0.05); however, there were only interactions with team ball possession in some cases. The discriminant analysis identified functions for all five playing positions (P < 0.01). The variables that discriminated performance between HPBPT and LPBPT were different for various playing positions, although the number of successful passes was the most common discriminating variable. The results demonstrate that HPBPT and LPBPT developed different possession strategies during matches and that selected variables such as successful passes were identified to explain these data trends across various playing positions. Combinations of variables could be used to develop a probabilistic model for predicting time spent in possession by teams.     

欧洲足球冠军联赛赛制研究

运用文献资料等研究方法对欧洲足球冠军联赛进行分析。认为:足球联盟是一种共生系统,联盟及联盟所属球队和新闻媒介、赞助商是系统内的共生单元,竞争、互惠、共生是联盟追求的基本共生模式;欧洲足球冠军联赛的淘汰赛制是系统本身适应环境的需要,只有满足共生系统各单元的均衡发展,才能实现共生利益的增值,从而有利于欧洲冠军联赛和其产业链系统的发展。     

试析欧洲足球冠军联赛中的"竞争平衡"

在持续和加强团队性体育比赛对观众吸引力的过程中,"竞争平衡"扮演着重要的角色,各大联赛组织都采取了不同的措施来保持团队在联赛中实力的均衡.通过文献综述、调查访问以及数据统计分析等方法,对各种不同措施和测量方法进行阐述,特别就欧洲足球冠军联赛中的"竞争平衡"通过趋势性分析进行了具体的论证.结果表明,足球强国越来越强大,其中,英格兰队的成绩表现尤为突出,而德国队的成绩表现出现下滑.强大的实力使得英格兰队的成绩在过去的几年中已经超过了西班牙队以及意大利队.同样,法国队在度过了欧洲足球冠军联赛中成绩的低迷期之后,其成绩表现也在不断地提高.与之相反,德国队的成绩表现在过去的几年中却在不断地下降,目前与荷兰队处于同一水平,且已被葡萄牙队超过.佳绩不单单只集中在少数国家,而且集中在少数俱乐部.欧洲足球联盟的顶级5国中只有11支球队能不断地提高或延续着其在欧洲足球冠军联赛中的成绩.欧洲足球冠军联赛的结果越来越可预见.成绩处于联赛前10位的国家愈加恒定,2000午后,就几乎很少发生过改变.     

Sprinting analysis of elite soccer players during European Champions League and UEFA Cup matches

It has been suggested that assessment of high-intensity activities during a match is a valid measure of physical performance in elite soccer. Recently, sprinting activities have been analysed in more depth. The aim of this study was to develop a detailed analysis of the sprinting activities of different playing positions during European Champions League and UEFA Cup competitions. Altogether, 717 elite outfield soccer players were evaluated throughout 2002-2006 using ProZone? (Leeds, UK). Sprinting (explosive and leading) was analysed for each playing position. To compare positional differences, a Kruskal-Wallis analysis was performed. Differences were found among positions for total number of sprints and total sprint distance covered: wide midfielders > (attackers = wide defenders) > central midfielders > central defenders (P < 0.001), as well as for explosive sprints: (wide midfielders = attackers = wide defenders) > central defenders, wide midfielders > central midfielders > central defenders and attackers = wide defenders = central midfielders (P < 0.001), and leading sprints: wide midfielders > (attackers = wide defenders) > central midfielders > central defenders (P < 0.001). For each group, there were no differences in ratio of explosive to leading sprints. Wide midfielders performed a higher number of sprints in all five distance categories than all other positions. This study showed that sprinting characteristics are influenced by position. Wide midfielders have to complete additional high-intensity activities during training sessions compared with the other positions to achieve the performance level required during the match.     

The effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical profiles in English FA Premier League soccer matches

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical performance during elite soccer matches. Twenty English FA Premier League games were analysed using a multiple-camera computerized tracking system (n = 153 players). Overall ball possession did not differ (P > 0.05) between 4–4–2, 4–3–3 and 4–5–1 formations (50%, s = 7 vs. 49%, s = 8 vs. 44%, s = 6). No differences were observed in high-intensity running between 4–4–2, 4–3–3 and 4–5–1 formations. Compared with 4–4–2 and 4–3–3 formations, players in a 4–5–1 formation performed less very high-intensity running when their team was in possession (312 m, s = 196 vs. 433 m, s = 261 vs. 410 m, s = 270; P < 0.05) but more when their team was not in possession (547 m, s = 217 vs. 461 m, s = 156 vs. 459 m, s = 169; P < 0.05). Attackers in a 4–3–3 performed ～30% more (P < 0.05) high-intensity running than attackers in 4–4–2 and 4–5–1 formations. However, the fraction of successful passes was highest in a 4–4–2 (P < 0.05) compared with 4–3–3 and 4–5–1 formations. The results suggest that playing formation does not influence the overall activity profiles of players, except for attackers, but impacts on very high-intensity running activity with and without ball possession and some technical elements of performance.     

2014-15赛季欧洲足球冠军联赛进球研究

运用录像分析法、专家访谈法、数理统计法对2014-15赛季欧洲足球冠军联赛125场比赛中的361粒进球进行统计分析。结果显示:76-90min是进球高峰期;前锋球员是主要得分手,中场球员是主要进攻组织者;中场球员助攻最多,短传与传中是主要助攻方式;进攻发起区域以中场为主,抢断与失误在进攻中占据重要作用;进攻路线以中路边路配合为主,定位球进攻越来越重要;2-5名球员通过1-5次的快速向前传球在进攻中占据优势;运球突破、前场任意球、长传转移、短传渗透是攻入前场30m区域的主要战术方式;禁区内的抢点射门是最主要的进球方式、2区是最佳得分区域,不同位置、区域进球方式有所差异。     

The effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical profiles in English FA Premier League soccer matches

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical performance during elite soccer matches. Twenty English FA Premier League games were analysed using a multiple-camera computerized tracking system (n = 153 players). Overall ball possession did not differ (P < 0.05) between 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations (50%, s = 7 vs. 49%, s = 8 vs. 44%, s = 6). No differences were observed in high-intensity running between 4-4-2, 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations. Compared with 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 formations, players in a 4-5-1 formation performed less very high-intensity running when their team was in possession (312 m, s = 196 vs. 433 m, s = 261 vs. 410 m, s = 270; P 5 0.05) but more when their team was not in possession (547 m, s = 217 vs. 461 m, s = 156 vs. 459 m, s = 169; P < 0.05). Attackers in a 4-3-3 performed ~30% more (P < 0.05) high-intensity running than attackers in 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 formations. However, the fraction of successful passes was highest in a 4-4-2 (P < 0.05) compared with 4-3-3 and 4-5-1 formations. The results suggest that playing formation does not influence the overall activity profiles of players, except for attackers, but impacts on very high-intensity running activity with and without ball possession and some technical elements of performance.     

The Most Salient Matches in the History of Premier League Football

What are the most surprising, most impressive and most exciting matches in the history of the highest division of English football? Fans, clubs, critics and broadcasters often attempt to interpret and compare the outcomes of football matches. This can be useful as a means of building a reputation for and interest in a particular club, match or competition. However, such analysis is often subjective with fan bias, personal preference and the prize on offer influencing expectation and interpretation of the results. In this paper statistical measures are developed to identify the most surprising, most impressive and most exciting outcomes from an objective ex post point of view. To achieve this it is assumed that goal scoring in soccer can approximately be considered as a Poisson process. First, the most surprising outcomes are estimated as those with the lowest Poisson probability to occur. Second, the most impressive outcomes are identified by their so-called Skellam percentile position. This measure varies between 0 and 1 and has a close relationship with the p-value in statistical testing. Finally, the most exciting match is identified by measuring the variability in the win expectancy during a match.     

Quantification of training load during one-, two- and three-game week schedules in professional soccer players from the English Premier League: implications for carbohydrate periodisation

Muscle glycogen is the predominant energy source for soccer match play, though its importance for soccer training (where lower loads are observed) is not well known. In an attempt to better inform carbohydrate (CHO) guidelines, we quantified training load in English Premier League soccer players (n = 12) during a one-, two- and three-game week schedule (weekly training frequency was four, four and two, respectively). In a one-game week, training load was progressively reduced (P < 0.05) in 3 days prior to match day (total distance = 5223 ± 406, 3097 ± 149 and 2912 ± 192 m for day 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Whilst daily training load and periodisation was similar in the one- and two-game weeks, total accumulative distance (inclusive of both match and training load) was higher in a two-game week (32.5 ± 4.1 km) versus one-game week (25.9 ± 2 km). In contrast, daily training total distance was lower in the three-game week (2422 ± 251 m) versus the one- and two-game weeks, though accumulative weekly distance was highest in this week (35.5 ± 2.4 km) and more time (P < 0.05) was spent in speed zones >14.4 km · h^?1 (14%, 18% and 23% in the one-, two- and three-game weeks, respectively). Considering that high CHO availability improves physical match performance but high CHO availability attenuates molecular pathways regulating training adaptation (especially considering the low daily customary loads reported here, e.g., 3–5 km per day), we suggest daily CHO intake should be periodised according to weekly training and match schedules.     

英超足球俱乐部经营状况之研究

运用文献资料和逻辑分析等方法,对目前英超俱乐部的经营现况进行分析。英超俱乐部的经营方式主要包括自营和委托经营,委托经营主要是俱乐部委托英超公司的电视转播权谈判;自营包括俱乐部以球迷为核心的商业运作。英超俱乐部的经营内容包括冠名权、门票、广告收入、转播费、商业性比赛、球迷产品的开发和球员转会。其经营绩效主要体现在拓展海外市场、吸引资金、扩大俱乐部的影响力等方面。英超俱乐部的经营策略是以球迷为核心,在此基础上进行一系列的商业运作。总体上看英超俱乐部的经营呈良性运行的态势。     

Offside decision making of assistant referees in the English Premier League: Impact of physical and perceptual-cognitive factors on match performance

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the accuracy of offside judgements of assistant referees in the English Premier League. The moment in the match, the position and movement speed of the assistant referee, attacker and second-last defender, together with the angle of view for the assistant referee were all considered to underlie incorrect decisions. The error rate was 17.5% (868 of 4960 situations). As the English assistant referees tended not to signal in doubtful situations (c = 0.91), there was an overall bias towards non-flag errors (773 non-flag errors vs. 95 flag errors). The flash-lag hypothesis could explain all flag errors, whereas the optical-error hypothesis could explain a proportion of the non-flag errors (45.4%). Fatigue, movement speed, and angle of view did not have a detrimental effect on offside decision making. In conclusion, there were fewer flag errors than in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups, whereas the number of non-flag errors rose. The increased awareness of factors involved in offside decision making and the instructions to give the benefit of the doubt to attackers could have contributed to this situation.     

英超联赛经营管理模式的现状数据分析

本文通过文献资料法,对英国足球超级联赛2016/17赛季的经营现状进行分析,对其经营特点进行总结,深化对英超联赛经营模式的理解。研究认为,英超联赛作为欧洲5大联赛之首,是欧洲足球收入最多的联赛,同时也是俱乐部收入差距最小的联赛。它重视球迷的相关需求,重视后备人才的培养,是欧洲足球市场的领导者。随着欧洲足球市场的进一步扩大,英超俱乐部的综合实力开始出现分层,对精英球员的强烈需求导致球员转会费用大幅提高。     

Creating the English Premier Football League: A Brief Economic History with Some Possible Lessons for Asian Soccer

Abstract

This paper outlines the development of the English Premier League association football competition and in doing so analyzes the consequences of collective decisions made by the constituent clubs on matters such as revenue sharing, salary caps and broadcasting rights, as well as the legacy effects of not fully breaking away from an existing organization. It concludes with a consideration of what Asian soccer might learn from the experiences of the English organization.     

英格兰足球超级联赛俱乐部许可证制度研究

基于规范职业体育俱乐部建设、提高联赛质量的视角,对英格兰足球超级联赛俱乐部许可证制度进行研究。认为:英格兰足球超级联赛从俱乐部合并和俱乐部关联现象,对俱乐部业主资格进行限制;从俱乐部数量,设置俱乐部的竞技标准、经济财务标准、治理结构标准以及俱乐部的迁移等方面,对俱乐部资格进行限制。对联赛中俱乐部关联现象进行限制,有利于保持联赛结果的唯一性;对俱乐部迁移进行限制,有利于促进联赛稳定;俱乐部许可证制度系列标准的设置,有利于控制联赛运营成本,实现联赛健康、持续发展。     

英格兰足球超级联盟研究及对我国职业足球发展的启示

英国作为现代足球的发源地,一直是世界足球强国。英超联盟是英国足球产业的中流砥柱,在英国体育事业中发挥着举足轻重的作用。通过对英超联盟的组织结构、产权框架与经营手段的研究,反思中国职业足球存在的“管办不分”“产权不清”以及“管理混乱”等问题,体现在中超联赛上就是组织结构的不完善与商业开发能力的严重不足。为了解决这些问题,结合中国自身实际,提出从加强联赛理事会建设与促进中超公司发展这两个角度寻找一条适合中国足球发展的道路。     

Ethnographic engagement from within a Football in the Community programme at an English Premier League football club

The present paper draws upon six years of applied practitioner research experience of the authors who were based within a Football in the Community (FitC) programme at an English Premier League football club in a deprived community in the UK. The paper explores the critical emergent issues concerned with participant recruitment, engagement and retention within a range of FitC physical activity, health improvement interventions with the following populations; primary school children, families, men aged 18–35?years and men aged 55?years and above. Results are drawn from a range of ethnographic, reflective and observational data collection and analysis techniques undertaken by the authors. A first person writing style is used alongside creative non-fiction vignettes. Results relating to the effectiveness of a range of behaviour and lifestyle change interventions are discussed. The authors conclude with a series of proposed operational and strategic ways forward for FitC schemes.     

Body composition of English Premier League soccer players: Influence of playing position,international status,and ethnicity

Abstract

Body composition is a key consideration in the physical make-up of professional soccer players. The aims of the present study were to determine whether the body composition of professional soccer players varied according to playing position, international status or ethnicity, and to establish which variables best distinguished the soccer players from a reference group. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 64 male professional soccer players. Measured variables included bone mineral density and the relative amounts of lean and fat mass. Data were analysed using analysis of variance and stepwise discriminant function. The soccer players recorded better values than a reference group (n = 24) for all body composition compartments. Percent lean mass and bone mineral density were the variables best able to identify the soccer players (95.5% correctly classified). Differences in body composition were evident between goalkeepers and outfield players, but not between outfield playing positions. No differences were found on the basis of international status. The non-Caucasian players demonstrated significantly lower percent body fat (9.2 ± 2.0%) than the Caucasian players (10.7 ± 1.8%). It was concluded that body composition is important for elite soccer players, but that homogeneity between players at top professional clubs results in little variation between individuals.     

2008-2009年欧冠联赛淘汰赛进球策动方式研究

采用录像分析及数理统计的方法,对2008-2009年欧冠联赛淘汰赛阶段全部进球策动方式进行研究。结果显示：中前场间接进攻策动方式中的界外球进攻战术日益完善;通过断球直接策动进攻是当今足球比赛破门得分的主要方式;策动进攻中简洁、快速的3次以下传接球进球率最高。     

From Mitropa Cup to UEFA Cup: the role of UEFA in the establishment of a European scale in football, 1927–1972

ABSTRACT

Since the 1920s, many European exchanges began to exist in the domain of football. However, it was during the 1950s that a European scale was established primarily due to the creation of UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) in 1954, which quickly organized the first European tournament in the game’s history– The European Champions Clubs’ Cup. The present essay argues that Europeanization of the game has to be understood in a long-term perspective. The papers examines the creation and development of three competitions as key defining events, which represented different stages of the Europeanization of the game: Mitropa Cup (created in 1927), European Champion Clubs’ Cup (created in 1955) and UEFA Cup (created in 1971). Thus, afocus on these cases can help us better understand the background of the Europeanization of the game which happened during the 1990s.