I don't think the interpretation has changed that much. Peter pretty much nailed it on the date (2008) when a few things were brought up to date and made clearer. 15/16 years isn't "recently". I became a tutor in 2008 and all during my time, it was always ... play the man, whether you play the ball or not, and you're pretty much looking at a sanction. The type depended on careless, reckless or excessive force.
In this case, I think the referee has conflated the genuine attempt to play the ball (from DOGSO decision making) with reckless force and has decided to issue a caution.
