Anticipating the future role of cybersecurity in protecting football player contracts in Iraqi clubs

Abstract

The researcher addressed the importance of cybersecurity as a strategic tool for securing information and protecting sports investments from digital risks that could threaten clubs' reputations and standing locally and internationally. Cybersecurity is a fundamental pillar of the modern digital age, and its role is no longer limited to financial institutions or government sectors. It has expanded to include the sports sector, which is witnessing a significant increase in the volume of electronic transactions. Football players' contracts are among the most prominent of these transactions, as they carry a great financial and moral value for both the club and the player. Protecting these contracts from hacking or electronic manipulation ensures the stability of the contractual relationship, preserves legal and financial rights, and enhances the confidence of professional players in the clubs. The researcher used the descriptive survey method because it is the most appropriate to solve the research problem and its objectives. The research targeted a sample of 50 players, administrators, and legal personnel working in Iraqi clubs. The results were processed using the statistical package (SPSS) with statistical laws (r value - error rate - arithmetic mean - standard deviation - relative importance). The most important conclusion of the researcher is the weakness of the digital infrastructure in most Iraqi clubs, which makes players' contracts vulnerable to hacking or manipulation. The researcher recommended strengthening the technical infrastructure of clubs in order to invest in advanced cybersecurity systems and software to ensure the protection of contracts and sensitive information