Lancaster University researchers have found that domestic abuse increases during England World Cup football matches – especially if the team lose.
Domestic abuse rose by 38% in Lancashire when the England team played and lost and increased by 26% when the England national team played and won or drew compared with days when there was no England match. A carry-over effect was also found, with incidents of domestic abuse 11% higher the day after an England match.
The average number of incidents of domestic violence on the days when England played was 79.3 compared with 58.2 on the days the team did not play.
The researchers said there could be several factors behind these findings including games being played in warmer temperatures, increased alcohol consumption and individuals being in closer proximity to others.
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