I was wondering too, if this is a recent escalation?
My last central league game was about 7 or 8 years ago and i know it wasn't as bad as what i see now. Players let go of the occasional f-bomb in frustration or expression, and there was always low key banter with the refs, but not this level of abuse.
I mean, no one would ever protest a decision with 'fudgety fudgy fudge fudger ref'
I just wonder if this is something that has been let slip and it's taking a while for those in charge of the league to realise and then do something about it