No I'm not aiming criticism at referees at all. What I am saying is that it seems like each week, the referee has a shocker and I guess that's relative to what side of the fence you sit on.
I am asking, are these guys actually treated as second class citizens by their own body like the competition is (forget the fans and teams for a moment) and thus, the game gets largely what the national body has invested in them (i.e. refs that are not prepared nor have investment to do a good job) or are they given every tool to succeed and then do not (i.e. poor performance) There is a difference. The 1st one, I feel sorry for them. The 2nd one, well.... There is a 3rd option as well which is clueless whinging fan (not directed at anyone). Everyone says they would hate being a ref but then whinge when they don't get one or get a shit one.
I know this is the wrong thread but N-Bomb raised it about Mirko so just fleshing it out a bit. Would be interesting to get a ref or someone in charge of refs and ask them or maybe a question for the podcast. A story on refs is sure to put everyone to sleep I know but put it this way, from what I have seen this year of the A League, a few of the refs on the ASBP would measure up easily. Stu Hogg took aim on Twitter with a massive broadside but watching the game on Sommet, there was nothing in it at all to suggest the refs were destroying the game.