2.1.c. Ethical and socio-cultural issues in sport (ethics and violence in sport) Typeit

Throughout sport, you will see players pushing the boundaries in order to improve their chances of winning. This win-at-all-costs attitude has led many sports performers to using the unwritten of sport to their advantage. However, regulations are in place to limit this so that sport remains fair and safe for all involved.

Each sport has a set of rules that players must follow or else they risk being sanctioned or punished as appropriate. However, performers should also demonstrate sporting etiquette, which is an appreciation of the unwritten rules of sport. Examples of this are acknowledging when the ball is out of play in football to award the opposition a throw-in, or shaking hands with an opponent at the end of the game, whether in defeat or victory. These examples of fair play are closely linked to the term , which involves  of the rules, spirit and etiquette of a sport. This show of respect promotes positive values in sport, such as respecting an opponent, accepting defeat in a constructive manner, and establishing friendships through competition. However, etiquette is not part of the written rules, and so some individuals may use this to their advantage to perform acts of , where rules are  to one's advantage. 

The pressure to succeed in sport will often result in performers taking this one step further by  the laws of a game. This approach towards sports laws is known as sporting  and differs from in that acts are penalised, such as using performing-enhancing drugs that are banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The reasons for participating in these acts mostly come from external sources, such as unrealistic expectations of success set by fans, international bodies and sponsors. The performer mistrusts their ability to fulfill these expectations within the laws of the sport and so seeks prohibited means of success. They might also feel as though others are cheating and that they themselves must, therefore, get back to a 'level playing field' by doing the same.

Acts of  in sport refer to an individual's intent to cause physical to another. These are prohibited by the rules yet often are difficult to control, especially given the competitive nature of sport and the many things at stake. The pressure to succeed might be a reason why someone would engage in this sort of behaviour. Retaliative and instinctive responses might also be another reason why individuals find themselves in the 'heat of the moment'. For example, Marco Materazzi's comments to distract and aggravate Zinedine Zidane during the 2006 Football World Cup Final resulted in the French international being sent off after Zidane retaliated with a headbutt to the chest.