When the Stadium Goes Silent: How Crowds Affect the Performance of Discriminated Groups

• 成果类型: Article; Early Access
• 署名作者: Caselli, Mauro; Falco, Paolo; Mattera, Gianpiero
• 署名单位: University of Trento; University of Copenhagen; Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD)
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF LABOR ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0734-306X
• DOI: 10.1086/719967
• 发表日期: 2023
• 关键词: racial harassment; job-satisfaction; incentives; intentions; WORKPLACE

摘要

Using a natural experiment induced by COVID-19, we test how the sudden absence of fans at football games impacts player performance in Italy. We find that African players, who are most commonly targeted by racial harassment, play better when fans are no longer at the stadium. A similar, albeit weaker, effect is detected among black players. Using official records of racist behavior by fans, we show that performance improves the most on teams that were subject to abuse before the lockdown. Our evidence suggests that racist pressure can harm discriminated groups and lower the overall quality of the game.