The Who
Journey Man
You are exactly correct. Today's ref has far too much to worry about with the complexities of all the new rules. It used to be a much simpler game.
When you add the fact that refs have to commit to memory the names of all the players, give them instructions on the run -- "Jake, you're off side..." -- and have some officials yapping through an earpiece then it is too big an ask.
I have long maintained that a ref should address players by their numbers, and not give them warnings that they are infringing in some way; just penalise them when they do.
The lines-people also need to give more help to the ref. They have a much easier task and yet you rarely see them running on and reporting issues.
When you add the fact that refs have to commit to memory the names of all the players, give them instructions on the run -- "Jake, you're off side..." -- and have some officials yapping through an earpiece then it is too big an ask.
I have long maintained that a ref should address players by their numbers, and not give them warnings that they are infringing in some way; just penalise them when they do.
The lines-people also need to give more help to the ref. They have a much easier task and yet you rarely see them running on and reporting issues.