EXPLORATION OF SPECTATORS' RISK BEHAVIOR TOWARDS SECURITY CONTROL AMONG POLICE TEAMS AT FOOTBALL STADIUMS, MALAYSIA

In Malaysia, the issue of violence by football fans is not a new issue. In fact, this issue has become more common in recent years. During the World Cup 2022/Asian Cup 2023 qualifying match between Malaysia and Indonesia on 19 November 2019, an incident of commotion outside the Bukit Jalil National Stadium was marred after the match ended. Security organizations including the Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and the police have been deployed to guard the entire stadium area with tighter controls at the entrance to ensure spectators do not bring fireworks or any other objects that may cause chaos and instability. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between spectator risk behavior and security control among the police force at the Football Stadium. A total of 260 members involved in this study consist of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM). The findings were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 29.0 computer software and the path model was analyzed with SEM using the Smart PLS version 4.3 software. Two elements of audience risk behavior consisting of audience crowding and weapons were selected as independent variables (IV). Meanwhile, the safety of the police force has been used as a dependent variable (DV) in this study. The safety control element was included as a mediating variable (MV). The findings of the study also show that all elements of independent variables in this study have a significant and positive relationship which is (p<0.001) between risk behavior (TLR) and police force safety (KPP). Meanwhile, the inclusion of mediating variables of security control to some extent has an impact on the security of the police force. In conclusion, this study will contribute to creating a model in the field of knowledge and policy to help improve the level of security in the assignment of police forces in football stadiums.