Pep is right on this. There’s all sorts of thing wrong with the process, but in my view there’s a cultural change that needs to happen with referees and their attitude to their work. The language used in their discussions with each other here shows it all.
It’s overly matey, unprofessional, casual, and a closed shop. Whilst at the same time completely unaccountable, arrogant, unapproachable and unreasonable. They think they’re part of the show.And if I’m honest, they’ve appeared that way for decades.