Midfielder Eric Dier is in the “right frame of mind” to play for Tottenham in Saturday’s fixture against Burnley following his altercation with a fan, according to manager Jose Mourinho.
The 26-year-old climbed over seats in a stand to confront a supporter who “insulted” him after Spurs were knocked out of the FA Cup at home by Norwich.
Mourinho praised Dier for his recent displays, and said: “What happened was clear. What happened… almost nothing.
“So I think he’s ready.”
He told Sky Sports: “Because he is one of these players that was not playing [much before I arrived] so he has to play tomorrow.”
Following Wednesday’s incident, the Tottenham boss revealed that the supporter had insulted the player and that his younger brother was not happy with the situation.
The Football Association and Spurs are investigating the incident. The Metropolitan Police said it was aware of what had happened but neither complaints nor allegations had been received.
‘I stand with Eric Dier’ – reaction
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Friday Football Social, former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas backed Dier and said there has been an escalation of fan abuse in recent years.
“Fans feel they have a freedom because they have paid the money and can say and do what they want, that is unacceptable,” Jenas said.
“Players should not have to deal with certain things, it is different when it becomes personal. Players know when they are not playing well, they can accept being booed and going to other stadiums and not being liked by clubs.
“When it becomes personal to family, what is going on in your life, it hugely oversteps the mark.
“Fans need to start having a look at themselves, for the best part of two years things seem to have escalated. Racism seems to has escalated, player abuse on social media seems to have escalated. How we nip it in the bud is why we are having this conversation. It is something we need to address.
“I stand with Eric Dier with what he did, if something happened with my sister, mum I would feel the need to deal with it.”
What happened?
Video on social media shows Dier running and jumping over the pitchside barriers into the stand at the end of the game. He makes a beeline for a fan and clambers over seats until he reaches the top row of seats in front of the hospitality boxes.
Another video shows him being restrained by fans and security, while shouting “he’s my brother”. He is then led away by security with his arm around a fan.
Article courtesy of BBC Sport
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