Today’s back pages: Eric Dier expects rap for fan confrontation and Iggy pops Rooney’s bubble

Dier consequences

Having gone to press on Wednesday evening after Eric Dier’s antics at Tottenham, the press discuss the fallout from the England defender’s dash into the stand to confront a section of Spurs supporters.

The Daily Mail claims that the Football Association (FA) are “torn on whether to charge Dier”.

Like Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, the governing body condemned Dier’s intervention, allegedly sparked by verbal abuse directed at his brother, but nonetheless sympathise with a human instinct to protect a family member.

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The Daily Star says that Dier “expects rap for leaping into the crowd”, which is also the gist of the Daily Mirror’s lead story on its back page.

The paper says that Dier “accepts he is going to get punished”, but he is “philosophical” about the situation.

Meanwhile both the FA and Tottenham are apparently conducting their own investigation into the incident with the latter “trying to identify the fan and get his side of the story as part of their own inquiry”.

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Wayne’s woe

Manchester United’s demolition of Derby County makes all the back pages after the Red Devils ruined Wayne Rooney’s big night.

“Oh no Roo don’t” is the headline in the Daily Mirror, with the paper reporting that United’s 3-0 victory in the FA Cup fifth round ensured it wasn’t a happy reunion for Derby striker Rooney against his old club.

The Daily Mail does itself proud in explaining that it was Odion Ighalo who inspired United with the 30-year-old striker scoring twice after Luke Shaw had given the visitors the lead in the first half.

“Iggy pops Rooney’s bubble” is the Mail’s headline, while i Sport sums up the evening for Rooney with a photo of the dejected star under the headline “Wayne’s pain”.

FA Cup quarter-final draw

Ties will be played on 21-22 March

• Sheffield United vs. Arsenal
• Newcastle United vs. Manchester City
• Norwich City vs. Manchester United
• Leicester City vs. Chelsea

Coronavirus crisis

The fourth estate are still feverishly reporting the coronavirus crisis with The Times saying that the Premier League has banned pre-match handshakes between players in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus.

A Premier League statement read: “The fair-play handshake will not take place between players and match officials from this weekend until further notice based on medical advice.

“Coronavirus is spread via droplets from the nose and mouth and can be transmitted on to the hands and passed on via a handshake.”

Instead the players will line up and walk past each other without shaking hands. As yet there has been no word on what players will now do when they score but presumably the traditional kiss and a cuddle are also a no-no.

Meanwhile the Daily Star claims that coronavirus “threatens Kop party”. According to reports the Premier League and the FA are discussing contingency plans that include playing matches behind closed doors, which would deny Liverpool fans the chance to see their team lift their first Premier League title since 1990.

Today’s sport headlines

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