Just a thought. If Referees all wore balaclava and it wasn't announced who the ref was at a given game... they might be less hesitant to hand out cards when they're deserved and/or award penalties when deserved. They could also rob banks after the game!
just get a ref bot just like robot wars then. ref via video.. put up a big siren and lights for red and yellow cards... put a team of 10 to officiate on every game and do via video... it couldnt be any worse given the blatant favoritism and bottling we just endured.
Although I'm partially in jest, I do wonder how much a referee would change his tone if he were anonymous to the public. I've seen several articles showing how referees get more famous they become more tame in their judgements and fear making game altering calls more. Perhaps mask won't work... but what if the head ref isn't on the field but watching a screen... (and calls the shots when ref on field is too hesitant... perhaps staying out of mundane calls but with ability to order on field ref to give a card... etc) And... the head ref is not revealed to the public but answerable to ref association still if they screw up (with financial punishments for blunders)
