The news suggested that the Portuguese arrived at his home in Belgravia after receiving a phone call from his wife, saying that their Yorkshire terrier is being captured by police.

Mourinho obstructed two police officers and a health official who were trying to put the dog into quarantine, fearing it had been taken abroad without jabs.

"A 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing police and was taken to a west London police station," a spokesman from London's Metropolitan Police confirmed.

"He subsequently received a caution for obstructing police."

The spokesman claimed that the dog was to have been seized for alleged offences under the Animal Health Act of 1981 and the Rabies Order Act of 1974.