Analyze the relationship between dimensions of religiosity and the identification of the fans of the teams present in the Premier Football League of Iran

Subject Areas : Management and health

davood nasr esfahani ¹ , mohsen Shariati Kamalabadi ²

1 - Department of Sports management. Faculty of Sports Sciences, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 - Faculty of Islamic Governance, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran

Received: 2024-10-15 Accepted : 2025-01-20 Published : 2025-05-02

Keywords: Religiosity, Identification, Fans, Premier League, Football, Iran,

Abstract :

The purpose of this research was to analyze the relationship between dimensions of religiosity and the identification of the fans of the teams present in the Premier Football League of Iran. The method of this research was applied in terms of purpose and correlation-causal in nature, which was conducted as a survey.  Since the exact number of the statistical population of the research was not available to the researchers, the statistical sample size equal to 384 fans of football teams was considered as a sample.  The research tool included standard questionnaire of Religiosity Dimensions of Bagheri and Khalili (2008) and Identification questionnaire of Jabri et al. (2013) that the validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to measure the reliability of the questionnaires, which was calculated as 0.89 and 0.83 respectively. Statistical tests and SPSS version 23 and PLS version 3 softwars were used for data analysis. The results obtained from this research showed that the dimensions of religiosity and identification among fans of Iran's premier football league teams were favorable.  In addition, the findings indicate that religiosity had a positive and significant relationship with the identification of fans of Iran's premier football league teams. Therefore, it was found that the promotion of religiosity (belief, emotional, consequence and ritual dimension) among football fans can lead to the development and improvement of their identification. Thus, managers and officials of cultural and sports clubs are suggested to pay special attention to the dimensions of religiosity and related concepts among football fans to benefit from its positive effects and long term such as support and loyalty to the team, enthusiastic presence in the stadiums, appropriate and supportive behavior of the fans, and ultimately the promotion of the club's position in the football industry will be well benefited. Paying attention to religiosity in various dimensions can lead to the development and promotion of that complex, and therefore religiosity is one of the important components that should be considered; because by creating a collective spirit, religious enthusiasm, and the expansion of public feelings through collective rituals and ceremonies, it can provide the necessary grounds for bonding between members and social cohesion. According to the results of the present study, it was determined that paying attention to various dimensions of religiosity such as the belief dimension, the ritual dimension, the experiential dimension or religious emotions, and the consequential dimension or religious effects is important. In this regard, the belief dimension means the beliefs that the followers of that religion are expected to believe in. The ritual dimension includes specific religious practices such as worship, prayer, participation in specific religious rituals, fasting, etc. that the followers of each religion are expected to perform. On the other hand, the experiential dimension refers to the emotions, ideas, and feelings related to having a relationship with a divine entity such as God or an ultimate reality or a transcendent authority. And finally, the consequential dimension is the effects of beliefs, practices, experiences, and religious knowledge on the daily lives of followers. It is necessary to pay attention to these dimensions in order to strengthen religiosity in individuals. On the other hand, one of the key concepts in the field of strengthening team brands is the development of the level of identification of fans with sports teams, as a result of which fans are closely involved and participate in issues related to their favorite team. In order to promote and develop fan identification, this study revealed that one of the key factors that should be paid attention to is the development of religiosity in fans of the top Iranian football leagues. Finally, it is suggested to the managers and officials of the league organization and cultural and sports clubs to plan and implement creative plans during the competition season and strengthen fan centers in clubs, by promoting the religious dimension of fans, they should provide reasons for their identification. In addition, attention should be paid to other factors affecting fan identification.

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