Does corruption in sport corrode social capital? An experimental study in the United Kingdom

Research question: UK government policy stresses the positive role that sport has on social outcomes and in the formation of social capital. However, while recognising the presence of corruption in sport, policy documentation barely considers the impact that corruption might have on social capital. This raises the following question, if sport can help build social capital, then does corruption in sport corrode it? Research methods: To answer this question, we drew on an experimental study design and the perceptions of 678 UK residents. Results and findings: The results indicate that being confronted with a sport corruption case corrodes people’s trust in sport organisations, as well as their trust in their neighbourhood, though not other elements of social capital, such as personal relationships and civic engagement. However, the more people engage with sport, the less their trust is affected. Implications: The corrosion of trust indicates that corruption in sport can damage social capital. However, given that this erosion is ameliorated through a greater engagement with sport, sports organisations should engage in early robust challenges to any lack of integrity to prevent it from becoming embedded.