Dier suspended for four matches after jumping into stands and confronting fan following Spurs' FA Cup defeat

Eric Dier has been banned for four games after he jumped into the crowd to confront a supporter after Tottenham's FA Cup fifth-round loss to Norwich.

The defensive midfielder jumped over the advertising hoardings and into the stands to chase down the fan following the penalty shoot-out loss in March, with footage of the incident going viral on social media.

The ban comes into play with immediate effect, and the England international has also been fined £40,000.

According to the FA, Dier had admitted improper conduct but had said that his actions were not aggressive, while his defence included "an unsolicited character reference" sent by England manager Gareth Southgate.

However his claim was dismissed by the English football authority, and Dier will miss four of Spurs' final five Premier League matches, against Bournemouth, Arsenal, Newcastle and Leicester, although he will be available for their final match of the season, away to Crystal Palace.

The FA said on Twitter: "The Tottenham Hotspur player admitted that his actions at the conclusion of a fixture against Norwich City in The FA Cup on 4 March 2020 were improper but denied that they were also threatening.

"An independent Regulatory Commission subsequently found Eric Dier’s actions to be threatening."

Dier climbed up the stands at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before being pulled away by stewards following Spurs' loss to the Canaries.

He was attempting to confront a supporter had been involved in a row with his brother Patrick, who had grabbed the fan after he had hurled abuse at the player as he went over to the stands after the game, with two other men becoming involved.

Dier entered the stands after seeing his brother get involved in the physical altercation and had attempted to chase down the supporter after he fled the scene, which the FA ruled constituted "threatening" behaviour.

In his defence statement, Dier said: "I instinctively jumped over the barrier and began climbing the rows of seats towards Patrick and the three men. All that was going through my mind was that I must protect Patrick.

"In hindsight I feel even more responsible for his safety. He had gone to the game to support me, and he had become upset by the personal abuse being yelled at me, and that had led him into this situation."

Once in the stands, however, the FA found that Dier had persued the spectator rather than go to his brother, leading them to find him guilty of threatening behaviour.

Their findings read: "We are quite satisfied on the balance of probabilities, that Dier’s conduct... was objectively threatening. We appreciate some filmed the incident and others simply watched. But, that of itself does not prevent it being, when viewed objectively, threatening.

"His conduct caused or contributed to the spectator fleeing. It is also no doubt why a number of people held him back and stopped him from pursuing the fleeing spectator. Dier’s conduct may not have been threatening to those holding him back, but we are satisfied it was threatening towards the spectator, and also when viewed objectively."

His actions prompting a mixed response from the world of football. Some sympathised with the player considering the abuse faced from some fans, while others felt he should have kept his cool.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho criticised Dier immediately following the incident, although he later said he did not expect the club to punish Dier on top of the FA investigation.

“I don’t think that belongs to the game. The game was a fantastic representation of the FA Cup, but I cannot run away from the question," Mourinho said.

"I think Eric Dier did what we as professionals cannot do but when someone insults you and your family is involved, especially your young brother...”

Mourinho later said: "I don't know the answer [as to whether he will be disciplined]. The only thing I can say is that, if the club does, it's not because I want it.

"I am with the player. I believe that the club is also with the player. So I believe there is no action from us. One thing is conversations, sharing ideas, another thing is going in that direction, which I don't think we as a club want to go."

Spurs were beaten at home by the Premier League's bottom club on penalties after the game had finished 1-1 after extra time.