Legal Analysis of Sports Clubs' Civil Liability for Athletes' Psychological Injuries: Focusing on Media and Social Network Pressures

This study examines the civil liability of sports clubs in Iran regarding the psychological injuries sustained by athletes due to media and social network pressures. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining doctrinal legal analysis with empirical data from a survey of 150 professional athletes across five major sports in Iran.The findings reveal a significant gap in the legal framework addressing psychological harm in sports, with 78% of surveyed athletes reporting experiences of mental distress linked to social media exposure (p < 0.001). Statistical analysis using chi-square tests (χ2 = 15.32, df = 4, p < 0.01) indicates a strong association between the intensity of social media use and reported psychological symptoms among athletes.The study proposes that sports clubs have a duty of care to mitigate psychological risks, drawing parallels with established physical injury liability principles. A logistic regression model (OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.78-3.36) suggests that clubs implementing social media training programs are significantly less likely to face liability claims.This research contributes to the emerging field of sports law in Iran by advocating for the recognition of psychological injuries within the scope of civil liability. It recommends policy changes to enhance athlete welfare and proposes a novel legal framework for addressing mental health issues in professional sports.