Although racism is probably the biggest issue from a severity aspect within the game of football, play acting is by far the biggest issue within the game of football! Although we rant and rave about some of the issues we have in our own leagues, once the european and international competitions start the game becomes a farce!
As someome who has refereed, you know when you see the foul what the level of contact was and in most cases you can access the level of intent - the only time you would need an input from a lines person or 4th umpire is when you have not seen it! The fouling player's response is often enough information to back up your intial thoughts on the extent of the foul!
So WHY do top referee's blow a foul with no intention of booking the player, only to be play acted and pleaded with to issue a booking? The ref knows whether it was a booking or not the moment they blew their whistle! The rules state that the game shoul only be stopped on the suspicion of a head injury! So when a player is rolling round clutching his ankle, shin, thigh etc..... (even though they were pushed in their back) - award the free kick, send the play acting player off the pitch for "treatment" and only let him back on after a period of play!
FIFA are a disgrace on may levels, their views on racism and their views on how the game should be played are just 2 of them!