Crowd behaviour is a serious problem in football – Tottenham’s Eric Dier

Eric Dier believes football has a “serious problem” with fan behaviour, revealing he has told his mum she can no longer travel to watch his matches.

The Tottenham defender was involved in a confrontation with a supporter following an FA Cup loss to Norwich in March 2020, climbing into the stands after the fan had argued with Dier’s brother.

He was charged by the Football Association, ultimately receiving a four-match ban and a £40,000 fine.

He also revealed further abuse aimed at his brother in the recent 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, from both Chelsea and Spurs supporters.

Those flashpoints have given Dier, 28, a negative outlook on the general behaviour of supporters attending football matches.

“I’ve never spoken about that situation in the press before because, to be honest, I wasn’t at all happy with the way it was handled,” he said of entering the stands two and a half years ago.

“I don’t know what I can say about it because I don’t know if I’ll get banned or fined again or whatever.

“It wasn’t too dramatic like people make it out to be. But I don’t regret it at all and I’d do it again – (for) my family, my team-mates, anyone, a friend of mine. I consider myself to be extremely loyal.

“(Fan behaviour) has definitely got worse. For me it is a serious problem. I had some family and friends at the Chelsea away game with Tottenham and they had problems and stuff.

“I wanted to emphasise it was both sets of fans – I am not saying it is Chelsea fans or Tottenham fans, it is football fans in general.”

Dier believes there can be a level of interaction with rival fans but feels it is “crazy” that his mum has to be kept away in case it escalates.

“I never complain about this stuff and I don’t really mind. We played Burnley