I think refs are generally authoritarian knobheads. Sport cops, essentially. But I also reffed a game once and it was hellish. I think it's way harder than fans think, but now we have technology the kinds of characters traditionally attracted to reffing are badly suited to the role.

Would agree with this. I grew up playing hockey, did umpire qualification to try and help out with numbers. Umpired one game. Got so much abuse from my own team (and the people I would have looked to for support), that I vowed never to do it again. I was dreadful at it, they were assholes.

Mine was a primary (elementary) school sports day game. Parents gave me hell.

Sounds about right.