Psychologist: Refs favor the home team

[Jimgolf]

OK, it's a soccer study in England, but they're interpolating this to be applicable to all sports.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17935260/

Good statistics, but bad science.

Example: "More significant, away teams received more penalties, suggesting referees make calls in favor of the home team, possibly as a result of the influence of the crowd, Boyko and colleagues speculate. A separate study last year reached the same conclusion."

The previous statement showed that away teams score less. Wouldn't teams that are behind be more likely to commit infractions?

The thing about Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson was that they could look at the same information, but Watson would be clueless, while Holmes always solved the case.

This Ryan Boyko seems to be another Dr. Watson.

[Mark Dexter]

How about correlation does not imply causation?

I'll withold any other judgement until I read the actual study.

[socalreff]

Originally Posted by Mark Dexter

How about correlation does not imply causation?

I'll withold any other judgement until I read the actual study.

Teams play better at home because of the crowd support and familiarity with the facility. When teams play better, they induce more calls because the other team can't keep up. Very simple. It has nothing to do with officiating.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

This study is nothing but a crock of horse manure; actually horse manure is worth infinitely more than this report. I can remember how many times each year the home team's accuses my of homering him on his own home court or diamond. I just love it when they boo.

MTD, Sr.

[Corndog89]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

This study is nothing but a crock of horse manure; actually horse manure is worth infinitely more than this report. I can remember how many times each year the home team's accuses my of homering him on his own home court or diamond. I just love it when they boo.

MTD, Sr.

On 2-3 occasions over the past couple years I've had visiting mainland HS teams imply that the local Hawaiian HS teams get home cooking. I love telling them "Not by me...I'm from Tennessee." They never say another word.

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

I can remember how many times each year the home team's accuses my of homering him on his own home court or diamond.
MTD, Sr.

I never homer a team. I might bart or lisa them, however.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

I never homer a team. I might bart or lisa them, however.

Just don't violate their dribblers.

[Adam]

There are a ton of variables that aren't being considered, such as how a team plays in front of its own fans as opposed to being in frong of "hostile" fans.