I think it's a bit too much of a coincidence that the red card came out then the way it did, when it did, not more than a few minutes after the Italian red. If that's not enough to convince, look at Pope's second yellow seconds into the second half. At best, this referee thought that a billion and a half people were tuning in to watch him work. At worst, he was trying to influence the outcome of the game.
"At best, this referee thought that a billion and a half people were tuning in to watch him work. At worst, he was trying to influence the outcome of the game."
All referees believe the first to be true, the second is too much on the conspiracy I think.
Obviously should a referee send off an England player at any point, I will remain entirely dispassionate and clear-headed in my analysis of the incident :P
Actually my theory on referees has always been this: it's a thankless task, whatever you do, someone will blame you for their result. No glory, no respect, abuse from the players, from managers, from fans. The only people who would possibly want to accept this role must be, by definition, entirely unsuited to carrying it out well. In summary, anyone who would actually want to be a referee should on no account be allowed to do the job.
It's possible that I have stolen this theory from Douglas Adams and the man who rules the Universe in Hitchikers Guide To The Galaxy....