The behemoth World Cup has finally begun. And women globally are being collectively shunned.

The onset of any football season transforms the most reasonable man into an emotionally unstable and irrational creatures.

But the World Cup serves to heighten those emotions.

And FYI, that post losing football sulk has got to be the most unattractive trait in a man.

It’s bad enough that women were reportedly citing the game Football Manager as a cause for divorce since 2004.

One blogger admitted, "I ignored the women in my life, the shower has become a strange world not very often visited and the toilet is a hideous inconvenience."

Which begs the rhetorical question, why on earth are grown men, married men, playing on the Xbox anyway?

One friend rather unashamedly said, “I told my wife I don’t want to hear her voice during the world cup. Unless it’s to ask me whether I want tea with my pakoras.

“In fact, I told her it would be better if she just texted me from the kitchen rather than speak directly to me in case it causes disruption.

“I know it sounds harsh, but she recorded one of her Indian dramas over the Spain vs Netherlands match. So you can understand that I can’t risk her being in the same room.”

Another friend said, “I booked tickets for my wife and kids to go to Pakistan. I need my space to watch the football in peace. Besides, she think it’s a haram addiction.

“So for the World Cup I decided to send her off on a holiday with some spending money and we’re both happy.”

Yoga retreats have been set up to accommodate the stressed out football widows as well as online support groups.

Notable mention must be given to the iconic football widow who penned a 3ft by 3ft banner and placed it above a main road in Birmingham with the message: "Jack, are the Villa really more important than our marriage? It's over, Jess."