West Ham boss David Moyes has defended Eric Dier following his altercation with a supporter in the stands after Tottenham’s FA Cup exit to Norwich.
In the aftermath of the penalty shootout defeat to the Canaries, Dier climbed into the lower tier of the West Stand and confronted a fan, who is alleged to have been arguing with his brother.
The incident has split opinion with some backing Dier’s decision and others claiming he was in the wrong to climb over rows of seats for a showdown.
“For Eric to do what he has done, he must have been required and needed,” said Moyes.
“In many ways I admire him and like it, I like how he stands up for his family, for himself, and you know we all get criticism and we have to take it in different ways.
“I know Eric well as he was with me at Everton, he is a great boy. Really good professional from a really good sporting family and background who understands all the issues in sport.”
Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Steve Bruce feels Dier will wish he had not acted in the manner he did.
“I’ve had cabbages thrown at me, I’ve been abused by Newcastle fans when I was manager of Sunderland. I’ve been abused all my life,” he said.
“(I’ve been called) ‘Fathead’, ‘Potato head’ – you just have to accept it but sometimes you go over the edge.
“It’s quite unique. How did he know his brother was getting abused? It wasn’t exactly a Cantona thing was it?”
“But I’m sure in the cold light of day, he’ll look back on it and think, ‘I can’t be doing that’. But these things happen.”
“I think everyone realises it’s not something ideal, but there is an instinct there to protect his brother and everyone will understand that,” he said.
“In the main, I think players and managers are exemplary in their behaviour in terms of what (the abuse) they receive.
“You understand frustration in supporters, but none of us want to see it overstep the mark. There’s a lot of it in the game, but it’s a reflection of society as well.”
Eddie Howe echoed the sentiments of Rodgers when it comes to the incident being indicative of current societal issues.
“But the world of football needs to look at what is said and what is acceptable and what is not acceptable.
“It is almost anything that is said from the terraces: ‘Oh, that is just football banter, that is the world of football’, but I don’t think it should be like that.
“I think it is an opportunity to look at this and maybe review what is acceptable and what is not, highlighting it for everybody who goes to games.”
Tottenham’s investigation of the incident is on hold until Metropolitan Police finish their own enquiries, while the Football Association will also wait to see the outcome before acting.
