Many referees have big egos, and I doubt it they are affected by anything the fans think it do. In fact they revel in it. The most obvious one of these is Mike Dean. Webb had an air of authority about him back in the day.Thanks for typing out my argument. My challenge of this human nature seems to be the main bone of contention.
I would add that the rhetoric around bias/corruption is exponentially increasing and if it doesn’t calm down, there will be less referees leading to poorer ones rising to the top and exacerbating peoples’ ire at perceived corruption.
We will reap what we sow and fulfil a self-proclaimed prophecy.
Others seem to have a timid demeanor, and it's surprising they have reached the top of the game. David Coote always looks to me like a rabbit caught in the headlights.
As a former referee, I wasn't in the slightest bothered by abuse. But those that are will not last the course. It takes a strong personality to get to the top.