And there is no way if it was an Aussie in the same position as Totti, that Australia gets that call.Well, I find it hard to believe that any ref would be actually biased like that. These are people with an extraordinary sense of justice; being unbiased is a way of life for them. Rigging a game to benefit their preferred team just wouldn't suit their character.
I think they're just making mistakes. Terrible, annoying mistakes sometimes, for sure, but just that: mistakes. Being a good ref is just extremely hard, simple as that. I sure am glad I'm not a ref myself; things happen so fast in a game, and you don't get to see any replays there but still have to make a decision, possibly making everybody mad at you. No thanks.
I don't know if it's blatant or sub-conscious. It's like when Michael Jordan played in the NBA, you know what he was capable of, so if he drives and somehow misses a shot, a ref thinks, the only way he misses is he had to be fouled, thus Jordan got the call.
Italy is better than Australia, so if an Italian player can't get the shot off in the box, the Aussie must have fouled him. Having skins on the wall definately works in your favor with referees.