Eric Dier has been involved in a physical confrontation with a Tottenham supporter after his side’s FA Cup defeat to Norwich on Wednesday.
The England midfielder scored a penalty in the shootout but saw Spurs go down 3-2 to Daniel Farke’s side after Gedson Fernandes missed the final spot kick. But all the attention at the post-match press conference centred on the actions of Dier, who was pictured on social media seeming to trade blows with one fan after climbing into the stand behind the goal after they apparently had a disagreement with his brother.
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(@queercatholic1)So Eric Dier just launched passed me at #TottenhamHotspur game against #Norwich to launch into a fan. Make of that what you will @SpursOfficial pic.twitter.com/4HVz1fm6t4
“I think Eric Dier did something that we professionals, we cannot do, but in these circumstances, I think everyone of us will do,” said Mourinho. “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.
“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.”
Asked if Spurs would be taking action against Dier, he added: “If the club does that I will not agree, but he did wrong.”