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.
Update:
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what do you think?
ListenToTeacher
Just goes to show that our beloved 'Premier League' only cares about the £. Lets hope the next game John Brooks refs he gets a massive round of applause!
reg hazel
Linesman should mind his own business,as far as I am aware,City players ALWAYS salute away fans,they do not need reminding by some wag-waving clown.
Martin Massey
So why were they leaving the pitch? & why dinsult the guy.
hoppomann
Guy does a decent thing and gets punished , wake up FA , you already got it wrong with clattenberg
t.bulgin
What on earth has it got to do with him ?. officiate on the game you jumped up nobody. If players want to thank fans it is entirely up to them and their club, absolutely nothing to do with some idiot on the sidelines Perhaps it was because he was at the emirates and was filled with a feeling of supreme arrogance.
Sandra Bryans
Even arsenal fans have had enuf of this money b4 football attitude at our club an the guy didnt say nytin outa place fars i can tell the players frm city had no real interest in their travellin fans x
t.bulgin
arsenal are becoming a laughing stock what with their fairy tales to stop hosting matches on boxing days and their overpriced tickets and their lies about attendance numbers. the only way to stop their arrogance is for them to become another has-been club like liverpool with no CL.
Martin Massey
You called the linesman a jumped up idiot nothing to do with him why are you sticking your beak into Arsenal business because you are a sad Totenham fan and no other reason. grow up
Martin Massey
2:46pm on 15/1/2013
Mega buck players advised to salute there own fans who were unhappy with the ticket prices but had traveled anyway what was wrong with that? Authority gone mad or did the City players complain.