Jose Mourinho Echoes Infamous 'if I Speak' Answer in Reaction to Eric Dier Ban

Jose Mourinho refused to be drawn on Eric Dier's four-game ban but was clearly upset with the decision and the length of time it took for the FA to come to a conclusion - and admitted Spurs are unlikely to appeal the decision.

Dier was handed with punishment by the FA after he was caught climbing into the stands for confront a fan in the aftermath of Tottenham's FA Cup defeat to Norwich at the beginning of March.

Having been charged with misconduct in April, it was confirmed on Wednesday that alongside a four-game ban - which rules him out of all but one of the remaining Premier League fixtures - the Spurs midfielder would be fined £40k for his actions.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, he said: "No [I haven't spoken to Dier]. No reaction. I prefer no reaction. I'm not going to answer. If I answer I'm going to be in trouble, and I don't want to be. So I have no comments about that."

"I think immediately after the situation that was...two years ago? Six months ago? I've forgotten already. I think enough people from football, players, managers, pundits, former players, enough people spoke and wrote about it.

Still avoiding to be drawn on the incident, Mourinho did reference an incident with Arsenal's Matteo Guendouzi, who avoided a ban from the FA despite being caught on camera grabbing the throat of Neal Maupay in June.

"I spoke about both situations a few weeks ago," he declared. "I spoke about Guendouzi, and probably I shouldn't have because he isn't my player and I probably have no right to comment about others. In relation to Eric, I spoke enough two years ago when the situation happened and also a couple of weeks ago when you asked me."

Pressed on whether the club would appeal the decision, Mourinho claimed that they wouldn't for fear of getting an extended ban that would run over into the next Premier League campaign.

He concluded: "I don't think so, honestly. If you appeal, you have other risks, and at least let's start next season without the suspension. We all know how it works with these FA decisions, you have access if you want to the record of successful appeals and unsuccessful appeals. I don't think we are going to appeal."

In regards to Thursday's match with Bournemouth, the Portuguese boss revealed that Dele Alli won't be fit to play due to a hamstring problem, while also citing the trip to Dean Court as a 'a difficult enough match' for his side.

For more from Ross Kennerley, follow him on Twitter!