El fenómeno Home Advantage en el fútbol profesional español en el contexto pre y post pandemia COVID-19.

Résumé

Public presence in stadiums is recognized as a determining factor affecting the performance of home and away football players. The purpose of this research was to analyze if there are differences in home advantage effect (HA), quantify goals scored or conceded depending on crowd’s presence, as well as to determine if refereeing performance is influenced by the presence of the crowd affecting cards and fouls variables. Sample consists of 2505 matches played during the 18-19 (821 matches, pre-pandemic: without attendance restrictions), 20-21 (842 matches, COVID-19 pandemic: without attendance) and 21-22 (842 matches, post-pandemic: without attendance restrictions) LaLiga Santander and LaLiga Smartbank seasons. Results showed HA between 21-22 and 18-19 (p < ,0) and 20-21 (p < ,0) seasons. Goals scored showed significant differences between 20-21 and 21-22 (p < ,05) seasons. Also, the refereeing performance was conditioned by the crowd, although it shows a downward trend over the seasons. These findings suggest that spectators’ presence or absence affects the performance of the players and, of course, the results of the matches.