Martin Atkinson praised Tomas Rosicky

English referee Martin Atkinson is preparing for the end of his career. Last week he announced that this season will be his last. Recently, the 51-year-old referee took part in a Q&A for the non-profit organisation ‘If U Care Share’.

In the Q&A, he revealed that former Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky was his favourite player to referee. Atkinson has many memories from his many years in the Premier League.

He also revealed that former Everton player Alan Stubbs is still to this day the toughest player he has had to deal with, “he scared me to death”.

“I’ve been lucky to get on with most of the players, but the one that stands out is Tomas Rosicky. I’ve always got on very well with him.

We just got on really nicely, not like best mates or anything, but he was always really respectful.

And when he finally quit, I got an unknown email and it was from Sparta Prague asking if I was going to referee his farewell game. You just never expect that and it was just nice.”

After 17 years in the top flight, Martin Atkinson will retire at the end of the season and join the backroom staff of the Sports Association Professional Game Match Official Limited.

Sources: Mirror, Twitter