ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the relationship between physical contacts and foul and violent play in soccer. It was hypothesised that there is a positive correlation between the number of physical contacts and the number of aggressive and violent acts. The degree of physical contacts in relation to violent play in Italian and English professional soccer was analysed. Twenty video-taped matches were analysed by means of a notation system. Video analysis was performed by counting all situations of bodily contact, illegal contact, serious fouls and deliberate fouls. Significantly more contact situations were observed in the English matches than in the Italian matches. The results confirm that top level soccer is a highly interactive game with a high degree of bodily contact. It can only be speculated as to why fewer fouls were committed in the English matches despite higher levels of physical contact. English players seem to accept physical contact as an integral and legal part of soccer.
