Structural Equation Modeling of the Effect of Communication Skills on Referee Skills and Efficiency in Iran Football Primer League Referees: Presenting a Model

The main aim of this study was to recognize communication skills, referee skills and efficiency of referees in premier league and to explain their relationships. The present study was applied and descriptive in terms of strategy and survey in terms of methodology. The statistical population consisted of all 96 referees and assistant referees of Iran football premier league in 2015-2016 season. The sample was purposively considered so the population and sample were identical. Communication Skills, Referee Skills and Efficiency Questionnaires with the reliability (0.81, 0.88, 0.90 respectively) were used in this study. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed a significant relationship between communication skills, referee skills and efficiency of referees. The results of measuring models of path analysis of communication skills, referee skills and efficiency of referees showed a high fit of this model and confirmed the conceptual models of this study. Therefore, it is suggested that this model should be considered as one of the selection patterns of referees when Iran football premier league referees are being selected.