It goes without saying Jack Grealish has been a prize idiot, an oddly-shod oaf recklessly demonstrating his irresponsibility.
Looking suitably shamefaced, he has apologised and his club have given him a financial slap on the wrist and handed the money to a local hospital charity. Good.
But the incident in Solihull over the weekend also gives the English football fan a conclusive insight into why Gareth Southgate has yet to go near him.
Yes, there was considerable expectation Grealish would have been involved in England’s March friendlies but I’m not so sure.
Southgate is not some sort of puritanical disciplinarian but he does understand that representing your country gives you a touch more responsibility.
(Image: EMPICS Sport)
He likes his players as role models or, at the very least, likes them to try and make sensible decisions on AND off the pitch.
Southgate has to have an open mind when it comes to selection but there is little doubt that those who have come through the St George’s Park programme have a head start.
No-one has stronger links with the Football Association’s development system, based near Burton-on-Trent, than Southgate.
The graduates are not clones off some sort of production line but they tend to be clean-living, well-informed young men.
(Image: PA)
There are not many mavericks. And Grealish, who only started playing for England at under-21 level after defecting from the Republic of Ireland set-up, is a maverick.
Goes his own way on the pitch and off it, which can be a good and bad thing.
Mason Mount has been a St George’s Park, and Southgate, favourite for some time.
And it is worth remembering he was supposed to be in self-isolation when he decided to have a kickabout with some kids a couple of weeks ago.
You can’t hammer Grealish and let Mount escape without censure but the country is now on lockdown and the Aston Villa player has form for mischief away from the field.
It is the sort of form that will not stop elite clubs wanting to sign him whenever some sort of normality returns to life and football.
But it is the sort of form that might stop Southgate giving him the ultimate honour.
