Mapping Research Trends and Hotspots in Sports Ethics: A Visual Bibliometric Analysis Using CiteSpace

This study presents a bibliometric analysis of sports ethics research from 2005 to 2024 using CiteSpace, focusing on 839 publications from the Web of Science Core Collection. The findings highlight a predominantly Western-centric research landscape, with the United States, Spain, and England leading the field. Key research trends include the regulation of Financial Fair Play (FFP) in European football and the increasing attention to gender equity in sports, particularly since 2019. Emerging technological ethics, such as the impact of blockchain and AI, are also explored. However, the analysis reveals a significant geographical imbalance, with research from the Global South, including emerging governance models like China’s salary cap policies, underrepresented. The study identifies several gaps, such as the need for more diverse methodologies and greater focus on the ethical implications of new technologies. These findings suggest opportunities for increased international collaboration and a broader, more inclusive research agenda in sports ethics.