Careful what you wish for

First, a window into the bright new future we want to give our children and our children’s children.

A world free of confusion, controversy and injustice. A world that no longer relies on Martin Atkinson.

Champions League final, 2020. Manchester United veteran Ashley Young advances into the opposition penalty area, eyes up nearby Barcelona midfielder Jack Wilshere for the heist and contorts into familiar double pike. The Italian referee rolls his eyes but points listlessly to the spot all the same. Not his call. He barely glances to the sideline for Pep to issue the challenge with his UNICEF-sponsored flare gun. Nobody celebrates. They all know. It’s another job for upstairs.