Clint Eastwood, in the character of Inspector ‘Dirty’ Harry Callaghan, delivered what may well be one of the most underrated lines in film history in the 1973 classic Magnum Force: ‘A man’s got to know his limitations.’

It is sage advice, all too often ignored.

Sporting figures and organisations too often see themselves as political figures who take it upon themselves to meddle in public policy and worse, our private opinions.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with having an opinion, but the problem with these sportspeople is that by telling us what to think, they forget that we watch them not for their opinions,...