Aggression is all the rage

McEnroe and Cantona: Aggression was their forte

Men are becoming more aggressive in the sporting arena, according to a new report.

Up to 77% of all men believe modern-day society is "more aggressive today than it was 10 years ago".

As professional sport becomes more competitive, scenes of fisticuffs and tantrums are becoming a regular occurence on the back pages of the newspapers.

The likes of Eric Cantona and John McEnroe are just as famous for their outbursts of aggression as their phenomenal sporting talents.

I think we need a return to the conventions of sportsmanship

  FHM Bionic editor Phil Hilton

Throw in Roy Keane, Alex Higgins and Goran Ivanisevic and you've got yourself a tag wrestling team.

Unfortunately, the report claims average sportsmen are emulating their heroes, with 93% of men saying they play to win.

Out of the 3000 men questioned nationwide for the Sports Rage Survey, commissioned by FHM Bionic Magazine, 78% admitted to having a heated argument playing a physical contact sport.

Swimming pool rage

And more than half of those questioned said they had been involved in violent exchanges.

But perhaps more worringingly, the aggression is spilling over from football and rugby pitches.

Up to 35% of men said they had been involved in a row on the tennis court, while 29% admitted to "swimming pool rage".

Cricket and golf have always been regarded as gentlemen's games, played in serene conditions in the best possible spirit.

But WG Grace would be turning in his grave if he knew 29% of men experienced "cricket rage" on the field.

And 25% said they let their anger get the better of them on the golf course.

The report says one in 10 of all sporting arguments leads to violence - one in five in contact sports.

Although a majority of men questioned attributed the increase in male aggression to "a more stressful society", 54% of those questioned believe men "get away with being aggressive".

Goran Ivanisevic lets fly in this year's Wimbledon final

However, despite all the talk of sports rage, 86% of the men believed violence was an unacceptable part of sport.

"I think we need a return to the conventions of sportsmanship - applauding the opposing side and shaking hands with a victorious opponent," said Phil Hilton, editor of FHM Bionic.

"There is an old-world charm to these practices, admittedly, but they did keep competitors out of casualty."