Tottenham Hotspur defender, Eric Dier, managed to get his face splashed across the vast majority of the major sporting publications in the country on Wednesday.
However, this was not related to a superb performance on the pitch or a howler in defence, it actually had nothing to do with the game itself.
After the final whistle was blown and Spurs were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties against Norwich City, Dier caught everyone in the stadium by surprise.
The bulking defender leapt into the stands and stormed up around ten rows of seats to confront a fan in the crowd.
It was later revealed that Dier thought his younger brother Patrick was in danger and so felt he had to intervene (Express).
Ex-Spurs manager, Tim Sherwood, has claimed that he was surprised at the incident as Eric is such a ‘mild-mannered guy’ but also added that he would not criticise the player’s actions.
He said (Sky Sports): “It surprised me because he’s a mild-mannered guy, Eric. But something serious has gone on there. Something has triggered it – pushed the button. We’ve all got that button. Some are hotter than others.
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“Unfortunately, if something is said out of turn, that you get upset with – and Jose said it himself; we need to be professional, bite our lip, not to go there – but sometimes it happens.
“I’m not going to sit here and criticise Eric Dier. Something serious has obviously gone on there for him to step into that crowd, walk up 10 chairs and confront the guy who he was very upset with.
“I bet the guy was sweating when he saw a 6ft 5in Eric Dier marching towards him. These boys are very strong and powerful. If it was on the street that guy wouldn’t be criticising him would he?
“Just because he is on the football pitch, he’s trying his best for the club, things aren’t going well, frustrations boil over, you’ve just got to get on with it. Eric is upset as well at being knocked out of the FA Cup.
“The fans pay their money but it doesn’t give them the right to say what they want and totally criticise the players. There is a limit. There is a line that needs to be drawn.”
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