CHRIS HEWETTGUEST COLUMNIST

Some of the things Ron Atkinson said during a long and lavishly rewarded career as a football manager were politically incorrect. Others were a whole lot worse. But on the basis that there is something good about everyone, give or take a President or two, let us give credit where it is due by recalling Atkinson’s thoughts on match officials.“I never comment on referees,” he once remarked, “and I’m not going to break the habit of a lifetime for that prat.” Brilliant. A total slam-dunk of a one-liner, worthy of Ji...