When footballers snap: Eric Dier joins the list of players and managers who have lost their cool

Sometimes the provocation off the pitch proves too much and trouble starts

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  The most famous example of all time of a player losing his temper. Chasing their third successive title in 1995, Manchester United travelled to Selhurst Park, and during the second half, Eric Cantona and Palace's Richard Shaw got involved in an ugly tussle, which resulted in Cantona kicking the Crystal Palace player and getting a red card. Cantona walked towards the tunnel when a Palace fan, Matthew Simmons, raced down the terrace and screamed abuse. Cantona launched himself on to Simmon with a kung-fu style kick. The Frenchman was found guilty of assault and sentenced to two weeks in prison, later reduced to 120 hours of community service. He was banned from football for nine months. Shutterstock

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  Anfield legend Jamie Carragher certainly lost his rag here. In an FA cup game at Arsenal in 2002, the 24-year-old was stamped on by Dennis Bergkamp, who was subsequently sent off. Frustrated Arsenal fans turned against Carragher, and one threw a coin at the defender. Carragher immediately threw it back at the fan, and was sent off by the referee Mike Riley for violent conduct. Carragher was fined £40,000 by Liverpool and was banned for three games. A police complaint was filed against Carragher, but was later withdrawn. Getty

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  Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough was never far from controversy. When Forest fans invaded the pitch, following a League Cup quarter-final victory over Queens Park Rangers in 1989, Clough stunned one of the celebrating supporters with a right hook. He proceeded to march on to the pitch clattering anyone within his reach. In less restricted times, Clough escaped punishment. Getty

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  In a Europa League tie in 2017, Patrice Evra, then with Marseille, was sent off before the game started as he attempted to kick a fan on the sidelines during the pre-match warm-up for the tie against Vitoria. Evra had been poor at Marseille and the fans were not happy. Travelling supporters aimed chants in his direction and then they broke past the stadium barriers. Evra aimed a high kick over the advertising boards towards a fan on the sidelines. He was sent off for violent misconduct, fined €10,000 (Dh40,000) by UEFA and was banned from playing in European competitions until the next summer. He was also fired by Marseille, his contract immediately terminated. AFP

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  Eden Hazard was hit with a misconduct charge after the FA decided a three-match ban was not a tough enough penalty for kicking Swansea ball boy Charlie Morgan in 2018. The Belgian lost patience when Swansea ball boy Morgan refused to hand over the ball after it had gone out for a goal kick. Morgan fell to the ground as Hazard attempted to get the ball from him, with the 22-year-old then kicking it from under him. Eventually the ban was not extended. AFP

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  Chelsea striker Didier Drogba admitted an FA charge of violent conduct after he threw a missile into the crowd during a League Cup tie with Burnley in November 2008. Drogba scored and celebrated in front of the away end at Stamford Bridge and was the target of objects thrown on to the pitch. The striker then swore at the fans, picked up one of the objects, thought to be a coin, and hurled it back at the supporters. He was charged with violent conduct and banned for three games. AFP

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  Former England international and Manchester United player Alan Smith was renowned or his short fuse, and had been sent off eight times by the age of 23. While playing for Leeds 2003, he got into trouble in a League Cup game against Manchester United at Elland Road. A Leeds supporter pelted a bottle on to the field, towards United player Chris Eagles. Frustrated by the incident, Smith picked up the bottle and threw it back into the crowd. It his another Leeds United supporter, who was injured and taken to the hospital for treatment. Smith was forced to make an apology to the fan and his family. Action Images

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  Nigel Pearson, now manager of Watford, actually escaped punishment for appearing to throttle James McAurthur but was reminded of his responsibilities by the Football Association in 2015. Leicester boss Pearson grabbed McArthur around the throat during Crystal Palace's 1-0 win at the King Power Stadium. The FA contacted Pearson, but did not take any further action against the Foxes boss. Pearson has attempted to laugh off his touchline scuffle with Palace's record signing McArthur. Getty

Eric Dier could face further punishment from the Football Association after wading into the crowd after Tottenham were beaten by Norwich in the FA Cup on Wednesday night.

Even Spurs manager Joe Mourinho struggled to defend his player, though he said he did understand why he did it after his brother was involved in an altercation.

Dier could be banned, and even fined by his own club once an investigation has been carried out.

But he's far rom the only player or manager to lose his cool during and after a match. And sometimes even before.

Browse through the photo gallery above to see some of the more famous incidents. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device simply swipe.