The Relationship between Big Five Model of Personality Traits and On-field Disciplinary Behavior among Moroccan Professional Football Players

This study aimed to examine the relationship between personality traits, assessed through the Big Five model, and on-field behavior among Moroccan professional football players. A total of 264 players from 14 BOTOLA Pro1 clubs were assessed using the Moroccan Arabic version of the Big Five Inventory-2 Short Form (BFI-2S). On-field behavior (yellow card) and playing position (FIFA classification) were sourced from official LNFP and club records to examine their links with personality. Yellow card accumulation during the first 13 matchdays of the 2024/2025 season was recorded. Descriptive, correlational, and comparative statistical analyses were performed. The findings reveal that the players who received yellow cards scored significantly higher in neuroticism (<img src=image/19943727_01.gif>=0.02) and openness (<img src=image/19943727_01.gif>=0.03) than those without cards. Moreover, neuroticism was strongly associated with the number of yellow cards received (<img src=image/19943727_02.gif>=0.29, <img src=image/19943727_01.gif><0.001). Players with four or more cards displayed markedly higher neuroticism compared to others. Playing position, coded from official FRMF match sheets, was significantly associated with both extraversion (<img src=image/19943727_01.gif>=0.04) and yellow card count (<img src=image/19943727_01.gif>=0.01). Post-hoc comparisons indicated that forwards, on average, received significantly more yellow cards than other positions, although this pattern likely reflects positional demands and match context rather than personality alone. Personality traits, particularly neuroticism and openness, are significantly associated with on-field disciplinary behavior in Moroccan professional football. These findings highlight the importance of psychological profiling in player management, talent development, and performance optimization.