Emirates linesman stood down for telling Manchester City players to thank fans

15 January 2013 09:49
The assistant referee who told Manchester City players to thank their fans for paying to watch them at the Emirates has been stood down from tonight's FA Cup game between West Brom and QPR.

John Brooks was heard on camera telling Joe Hart and Joleon Lescott to go show their appreciation to the supporters who had paid £62 for a match ticket. However, Brooks appears to have been punished for his actions after he was stood down for this evening's third round replay at the Hawthorns. City had sent back nearly 1,000 unsold tickets for Sunday's match while supporters held up banners in protest at the game saying:

"Don't price us out of our game or lose more fans" and "£62! Where will it stop?".

Meanwhile, Arsenal have explained why a steward at the Emirates removed one of the banners from a fan who was protesting at the high ticket prices. A club spokesman says the banner was confiscated because it impeded the view of others, and for no other reason.

Source: team_talk