NEWPORT County AFC manager Michael Flynn fears incidents like that involving Spurs star Eric Dier will become more frequent because of the “disgusting” abuse aimed at sportspeople.

England defender Dier confronted a fan who it is alleged insulted him after Tottenham were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by Norwich City on Wednesday night.

The incident came less than a fortnight after Bradford City boss Stuart McCall was taunted by a man brandishing a Leeds United flag during the Bantams’ win over the Exiles at Rodney Parade.

“I think it will be something we see more of,” said Flynn about the Dier situation. “Some of the things that get shouted are disgusting. Football players and managers, rugby players and managers, we’re all human.

“What gives them the right to abuse people? It’s all good paying your money and having your opinion on the team’s performance, but when people’s families are getting abused and things cross the line and get personal, it’s disgusting. It just goes to show what society is like.

“You only have to look at when we win a game the amount of comments are very small, but when we lose a game they can’t wait to get on your back, and they are supposed to be supporters – they aren’t supporters. They just want to see people fail.

“There’s a human nature to it all and they don’t realise what’s going on beyond the 90 minutes on a football pitch.

“Footballers, any sportsperson, they’re not anybody’s private property where people think they can go out and abuse them and say what they want and there will be no repercussions. The sooner they start banning these people the better.

“You want it to be a good atmosphere, you want families to get involved, you want the new crop of youngsters coming through, but what you don’t want is the idiots who spoil it for everyone.

“And when you look at every club, every sport, there’s only a small minority.”