It's both. The rules have changed massively over the years. I do appreciate its about protecting the players, let's face it, some of the "football" a few decades ago was borderline assault! However, I think it's gone too far the other way now, silly little touches are fouls and yellow cards.
The referees are just plain ****. But then, with the way the rules are, and the dozens of cameras inspecting every aspect, they've got an impossible job to do too. Should still be better than they are though, especially given the technology they're failing to use.