If, in 2012, cats are the new streakers, then they are definitely to be welcomed.  They look better naked, for one thing, and they also seem to be a fan of games involving three-man central midfields.

It's been a notable week for the loss of titles: first Fred Goodwin, formerly a knight of the realm, and now John Terry, formerly captain of England.

And so we come to it at last: one of the most controversial sporting issues of modern times. It says a great deal for the sensitivity surrounding the Patrice Evra – Luis Suárez case that, towards the end of 2011, I was more cautious in expressing a view on this issue than I was on Israel and Palestine.

Two of the Premier League’s biggest stars are alleged to have made racist comments. With these cases pending, it’s easy to see why the Premier League released such a colourless statement.

You see, on one level, what Blatter said can be laughed off as the fumblings of an out-of-touch fool. “Rise above it”, etc. Except you can’t rise above it, and that’s the whole point. Blatter is the top dog.

The only thing greater than the intensity of the UK riots was the confusion with which they were later dissected.