FA investigates after Spurs star Eric Dier climbs into crowd to confront fans

Tottenham midfielder Eric Dier’s altercation with a fan after his side were dumped out of the FA Cup is being investigated by the Football Association.

Footage emerged on social media of the Spurs and England star hurdling seats at the north London club’s stadium to confront a supporter, before they were separated by security staff.

It remains unclear what caused the confrontation, which came moments after the hosts were beaten on penalties by Norwich.

Dier, 26, is being investigated by the FA and is likely to face disciplinary action.

Asked about the incident in his post-match press conference, Spurs manager Jose Mourinho said: “I cannot run away from the question and I think Eric Dier did something that we professionals cannot, but, in these circumstances, something that every one of us would do.

“When someone insults you and your family is there, and your family gets involved with the person that is insulting you, in this case your younger brother, I think Eric did what we professionals cannot but, I repeat, probably every one of us would do. I am with the player and understand the player.”

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

He added: “Of course some are Tottenham fans but I think a lot of corporate.

“A lot [are there by] 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.”

Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones, who was at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the fifth-round tie, said there was “huge commotion in the stands where Dier made his way over the advertising hoardings”.

It is understood Spurs will conduct a thorough review of the incident.

(c) Sky News 2020: FA investigates after Spurs star Eric Dier climbs into crowd to confront fans