clash
Eric Dier climbs into crowd and confronts Tottenham fan after club’s FA Cup defeat to Norwich following row with brother
Eric Dier climbed into the crowd at Tottenham’s stadium following their FA Cup defeat to Norwich to angrily confront a fan.
Numerous pictures and videos circulated on social media showing Dier clamber into the West Stand to make his way up to a section of supporters, with security forced to intervene.
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According to Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, Dier's angry response was because he had spotted a supporter rowing with his brother and moved to intervene.
The fan in question is understood to have already been identified by the club, who are investigating the matter.
The Football Association are also set to open an investigation.
Mourinho condemned his player's actions but said he understood why he did it and urged the club and the FA not to punish the 26-year-old.
Mourinho said: "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 professionals cannot do.
"But I repeat, probably every one 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
"If the club does that (give disciplinary action) I will not agree, but he did wrong."
The incident 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 (real fans) are the ones who support the boys until the last."
The unsavoury clash occured after Tottenham blew their best chance of winning silverware this season.
The FA Cup fifth round match had ended 1-1 after 120 minutes as Jan Vertonghen's early header was cancelled out by Josip Drmic, who capitalised on a fatal error by Spurs goalkeeper Michel Vorm - playing his first game in 18 months.
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And Norwich won on penalties, with Tim Krul the hero - saving from Troy Parrott and Gedson Fernandes - to book his side a first FA Cup quarter-final since 1992.
Daniel Farke's men will now face Derby or Manchester United in a welcome distraction from their relegation fight.
FA Cup quarter-final draw: Arsenal face trip to Sheffield United, Leicester host Chelsea, holders Man City handed Newcastle clash
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