You see, they aren't football referees at all. They are middle-managers of the game. They believe that the popularity of the league and the spectacle of the game is down to them. They are an activist judiciary with no appreciation for the craft of refereeing, only the politics of the spotlight. Refereeing is not about interpreting rules, really. It's about their application. Any interpretation needed should be grounded in application, including precedent.
Real refereeing is about fitness, positioning, sharp eyes and ears, clarity of thought, effective communication, and consistency over time. Real referees are interested in the safety of the players first and foremost. Real referees are not concerned with the impact of their decisions on the spectacle. These guys aren't referees, they are politicians. They don't judge the game, they legislate it. It's a travesty.
