(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Sore losers aren’t the cause of violence after a big game. It may actually be the fans of the winning team who send people to the emergency room following a sports event.

At least that's what researchers found after following international rugby and soccer matches in Wales.

Researchers from Cardiff University wanted to know what impact international sports events have on violent behavior. They based their findings on the number of people sent to the emergency room with assault-related injuries.

There is only one emergency department in Cardiff, Wales. The international Welsh soccer and rugby teams call the city home. Between May 1995 and April 2002, staff at the Cardiff emergency room treated almost 27,000 assault cases.

Researchers found more people were sent to the emergency room on days when Welsh teams won than when they lost. It didn't matter if the game was played on the home field or not. When Wales had a victory, doctors treated an average of 33 assault injuries. After a loss, the average number fell to 25.

The authors conclude because there is increased violence after a win, "It is possible that levels of self-confidence, assertiveness or patriotism, which may be heightened following a win, are important factors." They say winning can lead to celebratory alcohol consumption, which, in turn, can lead to violence. They propose violence prevention efforts be increased on days when teams are expected to win, whether or not the game is a home or away match.

SOURCE: Injury Prevention, 2005;11:69-70