THE fan who had a bust-up with Eric Dier WILL be welcomed back at Tottenham after he met the star to apologise.
Spurs are unlikely to appeal after their defender was given a four-match ban and fined £40,000 over the incident.
The fan who rowed with Dier will be allowed back to TottenhamCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Dier charged up the stands to confront the aggressive fan
In March, Dier climbed into the stands and confronted the foul-mouthed supporter after their FA Cup defeat at home to Norwich.
The independent regulatory panel punished Dier despite being told the fan had called him a “w****r” and a “f***ing c**t”.
Even so, Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, whose side travel to Bournemouth tonight, insisted he cannot wait for crowds to be allowed inside stadiums again.
He said: “I want fans back, even that specific one.
“This is because the fan had the opportunity to meet the player, had the opportunity to apologise to the player and had the opportunity to understand that we are very well paid but we are not robots.
“We are very well paid but we have families and friends that support us in the stadiums.
“So I think it was a good opportunity for that fan to turn his profile and become a different fan. But no space of doubt, I want fans back.”
Dier, despite being subjected to that appalling abuse, agreed to meet the man responsible.
Mourinho revealed: “It was his own decision to do it, because the person in this case, first of all, is a Tottenham fan and was sorry about what happened.
“The way I was told he had the dignity to want to apologise to him. It was a nice thing that, in normal circumstances, especially after saying that he never felt under threat at any moment of the situation, would be enough for a fair decision.”
Mourinho was surprised by the severity of Dier’s punishment.
The four-match ban rules the England star out of all but one of Tottenham’s remaining fixtures.
And in addition to the hefty fine he has been warned about his future conduct by the FA.
A statement said: “The Tottenham player admitted that his actions at the conclusion of a fixture against Norwich City in the FA Cup were improper but denied that they were also threatening.
“An independent regulatory commission subsequently found Eric Dier’s actions to be threatening.”
Asked if Spurs will appeal against the verdict, Mourinho said: “I don’t think so because if you appeal you have other risks.
“At least let’s start next season without a suspension and we all know how it works at these FA decisions.
“You have access if you want to the record of successful appeals and unsuccessful appeals. So, I don’t think we’re going to appeal.”
Jose Mourinho reacts to Eric Dier ban and says Spurs are unlikely to appeal
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
