Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier climbed into the stands and confronted a supporter in a remarkable incident after Wednesday night’s FA Cup defeat at home to Norwich. According to reports, the fan insulted his family.
The England international hurriedly raced into the West Stand to make his way towards a section of Spurs fans at the upper part of the stadium. The 25-year-old climbed over each row of seats and walked past supporters who left their seats to let him pass.
He then broke into the stands where the said fan who insulted him was sitting. Dier’s brother was there to confront the supporter before the midfielder hurriedly came to help his brother and confronted the fan. As he makes his way to the stands, supporters and stewards tried to restrain him and told him to “calm down” and “relax”.
Videos on social media showed the Spurs player being escorted away by security officials through a door at the back of the stand. It was learned that the club invited Dier’s brother into the dressing room following the clash and the club are working to identify the fan.
Jose Mourinho’s side were beaten 3-2 on spot-kicks after the game had finished 1-1 in normal time. Dier had taken Spurs’ first penalty in the shootout and scored, but Norwich’s keeper Tim Krul proved the hero, saving two penalties to send his side through.
Eric Dier just came into the stand and had a fight with fan next to me 😱 pic.twitter.com/nMGVcDWegX
— Jascha Selby (@jselby123) March 4, 2020
However, speaking about the incident during his post-match press conference, Spur manager Jose Mourinho condemned the midfielder for his behavioral misconduct, asking the club to punish the 26-year-old for his inactions.
“I don’t think that is the most important thing of the game, in fact, it does not belong to the game. I think the game was so fantastic I think. It was a real representation of what the FA Cup is and has to be that I would prefer to speak about the game. But I cannot run away from your question.
“I think Eric Dier did something that we professionals cannot do but in these circumstances every one of us would do. 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 professional we 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.
“The people that are in these privileged positions by the tunnel. 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.
“This person insulted Eric, this 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.
“If the club does that (give disciplinary action) I will not agree, but he did wrong.”
Mourinho also condemned the fan that hauled insults at Dier and lampooned that section of the stadium 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.”
