Eric Dier to be investigated by FA after altercation with Tottenham fans in stands

It is understood the England midfielder’s confrontation with an individual in the West Stand at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is being looked at

Ben Burrows
Thursday 05 March 2020 10:16 GMT
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Eric Dier jumped into the crowd after Spurs lost to Norwich
Eric Dier jumped into the crowd after Spurs lost to Norwich

Eric Dier’s altercation with a supporter following Tottenham Hotspur’s FA Cup defeat to Norwich is being investigated by the Football Association.

It is understood the England midfielder’s confrontation with an individual in the West Stand at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is being looked at.

The 26-year-old is likely to face disciplinary action over the incident which has been suggested involved Dier’s brother, who was watching on in the crowd, being subjected to abuse by a home supporter.

The clash followed a penalty shootout defeat that saw Spurs exit the FA Cup.

Manager Jose Mourinho conceded that Dier shouldn’t have taken matters into his own hands, regardless of any provocation.

“I think Eric Dier did something that we professionals cannot do but in these circumstances every one of us would do,” he said after the match.

“Because when somebody insults you, and your family is there, and you get involved with the person that is insulting you, in this case a younger brother, I think Eric did what we professionals cannot do.

“But I repeat, probably everyone of us would do. I repeat, we professionals we cannot do, but I repeat I am with the player and I understand the player.

“This person insulted Eric, his family was there. The young brother was not happy with the situation and then Eric, I repeat (he) did what we professionals cannot do, but did something that probably we would do.”

The clash happened in the area behind the dugouts, which is a corporate section, and Mourinho has criticised it for not housing “real Tottenham fans”.

“The people that are in these privileged positions by the tunnel,” he added.

“Of course some are Tottenham fans but I think a lot of corporate, a lot of invitation, a lot of people with special status and probably it’s the place of the stadium where I sometimes have doubts over if they are the real Tottenham fans because these are the ones who support the boys until the last.”

It was an unsavoury end to a disappointing night as Spurs’ season was plunged into more despair.

The FA Cup was their only real chance of silverware remaining with their Premier League top-four hopes stuttering and their Champions League chances hanging in the balance.

The game ended 1-1 after 120 minutes as Jan Vertonghen’s early opener was cancelled out by Josip Drmic’s leveller.

Canaries goalkeeper Tim Krul then proved the hero in the shootout saving from Troy Parrott and Gedson Fernandes, with Erik Lamela also missing.

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