Tottenham Hotspur take on Arsenal in the English Premier League on Sunday and midfielder Eric Dier will not be a part of the North London Derby.
The midfielder climbed into the stands after Spurs’ penalty shoot-out loss to Norwich City in the FA Cup back in March and then went on to have a fistfight of sorts with fans.
Dier was subsequently charged with misconduct by the Football Association and as punishment, the 26-year-old has been handed a suspension and a fine.
“Eric Dier has been suspended for four matches with immediate effect, fined £40,000 and warned as to his future conduct following a breach of FA Rule E3,” read an FA statement, as reported.
“The Tottenham Hotspur FC player admitted that his actions at the conclusion of a fixture against Norwich City FC in the FA Cup on March 4, 2020 were improper but denied that they were also threatening.
“An independent regulatory commission subsequently found Eric Dier’s actions to be threatening.”
Spurs do have the chance of appealing against the decision but Jose Mourinho has made it clear that the club will not advance any further meaning Eric Dier will not be a part of the North London Derby.
“I don’t think so honestly, because if you appeal you have other risks,” the manager said at his pre-match press conference. “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.
“I don’t think so, I don’t think we’re going to appeal.”
The absence of Eric Dier will be a big blow for Jose Mourinho’s tactical planning since the midfielder has been a key part of Mourinho’s blueprint since the restart of the season and over the past couple of matches, he has been playing in central defence.
But with him unavailable for selection, Davinson Sanchez will come back into the side partner Toby Alderweireld at the heart of defence against the Gunners.
This might be a bit of positive news for Arsenal but Sanchez and Alderweireld are both first-choice centre-back so Jose Mourinho should not be too concerned in selecting his defensive line for the derby.
