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Blundering FA bosses had to remove assistant referee Darren Cann from Manchester City's FA Cup fourth round tie … after they remembered he had played for opponents Crystal Palace.

Cann, who was on the books at Selhurst Park but never played a first team game, was appointed to run the line for referee Mike Jones in Saturday's clash.

But eagle-eyed Blues fans spotted the clash of interest and flagged it up on social media.

The FA says it realised its error and pulled 48-year-old Cann from the game, even though City themselves had made no complaint about the matter.

The FA said: "Darren Cann was incorrectly listed as an official for the Emirates FA Cup fourth round fixture between Crystal Palace and Manchester City. This was due to an administrative error which has now been rectified."

But the episode has fuelled arguments among City supporters – some of which are echoed within the club – that the Blues get unfair treatment from the FA and the referees.

Manager Pep Guardiola met with refs' chief Mike Riley after he expressed his unhappiness with official Lee Mason's handling of the Blues' 2-1 win over Burnley.

Guardiola has also been unhappy with inconsistency of punishment, with Fernandinho handed a four-match ban for a red card when similar, and worse, challenges, have brought yellow cards

Last weekend Guardiola was incandescent again when Raheem Sterling was denied a clear penalty by Andre Marriner for a push from Tottenham defender Kyle Walker, a pivotal moment in a game that finished 2-2.

City's players have also expressed their unhappiness about recent refereeing decisions, with Bacary Sagna handed a £70,000 fine for posting on Instagram that the Burnley match had been “10 against 12” after the dismissal of Fernandinho.