However, fans’ perception goes further, with the “lack of equal criteria (different decisions on similar moves)” — mentioned by 50.9% of respondents. The lack of technical preparation for arbitration appears next, with 34.1%, followed by the lack of transparency in decisions, with 32.5%.
As a result, distrust is directly reflected in the level of satisfaction. Almost half of the public surveyed (46.2%) declared themselves “Dissatisfied” or “Very dissatisfied” with Brazilian arbitration. Only 9.3% expressed some level of satisfaction.
When asked about the evolution of referees’ work, the majority are not optimistic: 52.8% of fans say that refereeing is “getting worse”. Another 32.5% think that the level is “staying the same”, with only 14.6% believing in an improvement.
Independent body
Given this scenario, the research reveals strong support for the creation of an independent body to manage arbitration in the country, like the PGMOL in England. In this section, 71.0% of those interviewed support the idea of an entity separate from the CBF.
Fans in favor of the independent model indicate that it would “increase transparency in decisions” (65.3%) and “reduce the CBF’s political influence” (60.3%).
