FA CUP
Dier confronts fan over abuse of player's brother
Eric Dier ran into the stands and confronted a fan in the aftermath of Tottenham Hotspur losing on penalties to Norwich.
Eric Dier confronted a fan in the stand after Tottenham Hotspur were knocked out of the FA Cup by Norwich on penalties on Wednesday night.
Spurs captain Dier was seen on social media apparently trading blows with a fan after running into the stand behind the goal. The fan in question apparently had abused Dier's brother. Security guards were seen holding Dier back from the fan.
Mourinho understanding of Dier
Tottenham coach José Mourinho said after the game: “I think Eric Dier did something that we professionals, we cannot do, but in these circumstances, I think everyone of us will do. Because when somebody insults you and your family is there and your family gets involved with the person insulting you, in this case a younger brother, I think Eric did what we professionals we cannot do. But I repeat, probably every one of us would do."
Mourinho continued: "The fans, they were with the team until the last penalty kick that we missed. The people that is in these privileged positions, in this area of the tunnel, of course some are Tottenham fans but I think a lot of corporation, a lot of invitation, a lot of people with some special status and probably it’s the place of the stadium where I have sometimes doubts that if they are the real, the real Tottenham fans. Because these ones [real fans] are the ones that supported the balls until the last one. This person insulted Eric, the family was there, the young brother was not happy with the situation. And then Eric, I repeat, did what we professionals cannot do but did something that probably we would do.”
Mou also said that if Tottenham took action against Dier he personally "would not agree" but accepted the player had "done wrong".
The game finished 1-1 and went to penalties after extra-time. Tim Krul saved the spot-kick from Gedson Fernandes to send Mourinho's side out of the FA Cup as things go from bad to worse for Spurs. They currently sit 7th in the Premier League and tension is palpable with Dele Alli throwing a water bottle in disgust recently after being substituted.
Initial reports of Dier's actions said they may have been in reaction to racist abuse of Gedson Fernandes, who had the final spot-kick saved.