Tottenham star Eric Dier has stormed into the crowd to confront a member of his own fans in a fiery ending to the Spurs' FA Cup exit to Norwich on Thursday morning.
In just another chapter in Spurs' sad season under manager Jose Mourinho, the Londoners were booted from the FA Cup after Gedson Fernandes missed the decisive penalty, sending Norwich through to the final eight.
Under pressure from fans, the commotion all got a bit much, and it kicked up a level when Dier launched himself into the crowd to confront a fan.
While the details of the altercation remain unclear, it seems Dier took offence to comments made by the fan toward his younger brother, who was sat nearby.
A torrent of vision on social media caught the moment Dier leaped the barricade, parted the crowd and made a B-Line for the fan.
It is unclear whether punches were thrown but it appears there was some fracas as security rushed to pull Dier away.
Following the match, Mourinho protected his star, saying it was understandable given abuse was directed at his family, but stopped short of condoning Dier's actions.
"I think Eric Dier did something that we professionals, we cannot do, but in these circumstances, I think everyone of us will do," Mourinho said.
"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.
"If the club discipline Eric Dier I would not agree with it, but what he did was wrong."
It remains to be seen if the club, FA or authorities will impose any sanctions on the star.
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/football/fa-cup-tottenham-vs-norwich-eric-dier-fan-crowd-fight/60d58a20-0f4a-4a3c-90d7-929b1c5abcde
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