Humiliations from the coach, blows from a teammate, injuries ignored on the field or sexual assault during hazing… violence in sports is recurrent and often hidden. A study carried out by Grégoire Bosselut, lecturer at the University of Montpellier, specialist in the psychology of sports performance and group dynamics, made public on Wednesday January 15, shows their anchoring in club sports culture.
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According to 2,129 responses to a questionnaire sent in 2024 to 22,000 club presidents − only 793 structures responded −58% of athletes say they have experienced a form of violence at least once. For 46% of them, the aggression suffered was physical and for 23% psychological (harassment, humiliation or insult). In addition, 24% involved negligence (discharge to the field with an injury) and 20% involved gender-based and sexual violence (touching, assault).
-All sports are affected, but collective activities are more affected than individual practices. Violence is also gendered: men suffer more physical attacks, while women are more victims of neglect and sexual assault. Conducted in an equivalent number of leisure clubs, at departmental or regional level, or national and international competition venues, the study shows a problem inherent in a widespread culture of acceptance of violence.
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