Evidently the grandmother of Luis Suarez, the disgraced Uruguayan footballer expelled from the world cup for biting an opponent for the third time in his career, complained that her grandson had been thrown out  “like a dog”.

Her comment is perfectly apposite; if her grandson behaves like a dog he can have no complaints if he is then treated like one.

Short of muzzling Suarez, or forcing him to wear one of those lampshade things that dogs wear to prevent them from self-harming, the football authorities had no choice but to throw him out of the competition.

That said, I’m in the camp of those who feel sorry for the guy; sorry that his supreme talent is blemished by what is clearly some sort of psychological problem. I hope he receives the help he needs.