That doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement, but it's certainly a very difficult career due to the inevitable public scrutiny that comes with it, and without much of the financial and social reward that players benefit from.

Not just that, but making it up through the lower leagues is absolutely gruelling. I don't remember who it was - I think it was on the StatsBomb podcast years ago - but I heard professional referees are among the careers with the highest percentage dropouts within the first year of starting. And it's easy to imagine why: not just is the job physically demanding and often difficult, but having to suffer through years of hearing Potbelly Pete in the 13th division call you a worthless piece of shit because you sent him off for a two-footer can't be a pleasant experience. It's no wonder most are filtered out, especially since as you say they're far from compensated fairly.