Linesman who told City players to thank fans because they 'paid £62 quid' axed from FA Cup replay between West Brom and QPR



The linesman who encouraged Manchester City players to go over and see the away fans at Arsenal because they had 'paid 62 quid' has been taken off the programme for the FA Cup replay between West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers.

John Brooks was due to run the line at The Hawthorns on Tuesday evening but Sportsmail understands the official has been relieved of his duties in the wake of the comment he made to Joe Hart and Joleon Lescott after City's 2-0 win at the Emirates.

After Sunday's match, which City won thanks to goals from James Milner and Edin Dzeko, TV footage picked up Brooks telling the City players 'they’ve paid 62 quid over there, go and see them' as they exchanged handshakes following the final whistle.

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Do your duty! Linesman John Brooks shakes hands with Joe Hart and dishes out a bit of friendly advice VIDEO Linesman steps in on Emirates ticket row...

GRAHAM POLL'S OFFICIAL LINE

John Brooks’ comments after Manchester City’s win at Arsenal were a reaction to pressure. When you’re in that cauldron for 80 minutes or so after the sending off, you can say things without thinking. It’s weird and hard to explain. The tension can cause abnormal behaviour: a dopey smile, an inappropriate comment. You’re so focused on your job, you’re not thinking straight about other things. To give you an idea of such pressure, I had a family member reduced to tears at Arsenal in August 2000 due to the abuse directed at me and focus on me. I had sent off three players, though: Gary McAllister (on his Liverpool debut) Patrick Vieira (his second red card in as many matches) and Dietmar Hamann. These comments wouldn’t ordinarily matter, but there’s cameras and microphones everywhere now. Yesterday Sky Sports’ microphone picked it up but referee Mike Dean, who was standing next to Brooks had no idea what his assistant had said. Leicestershire official Brooks is relatively new, his Emirates’ appointment was only his 14th Barclays Premier League match.



Although it remains unclear whether Brooks was withdrawn because of the comments, the linesman will be replaced as one of the assistants as Harry Redknapp's bid to topple Albion after a draw at Loftus Road.

Brooks will not feature in this weekend's Premier League programme, either.



Gary Neville has been shocked by the decision, taking to twitter to express his disbelief.



He said: 'Morning , if that's right about the Lino at Ars v city being dropped tonight it's ridiculous!!'



Kevin Parker, general secretary of the Manchester City Supporters Club, said: 'This is such a shame. All football fans want the officials to be human and show empathy and something like this sends the wrong message.



'The linesman was having a private conversation with one of our players. From what I can see, he was being a normal, sympathetic human being, rather than a robot.



'All the people I have spoken to — City fans and fans of other clubs — thought it was a great thing to do.’



City returned 912 unsold tickets priced at £62 each for the Arsenal match and the fans that did attend made their feelings clear as they held banners before kick off protesting at the prices.



The matter has added fuel to an ongoing debate over seat prices in the competition, with Arsenal having previously been brought under scrutiny by their own supporters.

Reports emerged after the game that police had forced City followers to stop displaying some of the banners.



Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore does not blame City fans for not taking up their full ticket allocation at Arsenal this weekend.

Scudamore told BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek programme: 'I think they are sending Arsenal Football Club a very clear message.

'I think that is a clear message Arsenal Football Club have to deal with.

'There is category pricing at Arsenal. Arsenal, when categorising games and setting prices next season, will have to take that into account.

'Arsenal clearly, along with every other club, want a full stadium and we at the Premier League would like every club to take up their away allocation.

Making a stand: A number of City fans boycotted the Arsenal game last January while others protested

The price of following your team: A match ticket for the Arsenal v City game in the away end

Asking the question: City fans held another banner asking how long ticket prices would continue to rise

'We would like to see 10 per cent or 3,000 fans in those grounds.

'It is easy to latch onto the Arsenal example. They have clearly made a judgement and I think the Man City fans, in fairness, have done what they should do if they think it is too much and not turned up.

'It does make people think again and that is actually what the market should do.'

Scudamore was asked whether, in the light of record TV revenue, ticket prices should be lowered at all clubs.

Sympathetic to the supporters: Linesman John Brooks told City players to thank the fans after the game

Support: Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore says he would like to see away fans given 10 per cent of capacity

He said that was a complex issue but the overriding aims of clubs should be to ensure their stadiums are full, with away fans in attendance.

Scudamore said: 'Absolutely top of our aims and objectives is to put on a show and keep attendances full.

'The clubs absolutely know where the Premier League stands on this. We want full stadia.

'Over the last 15 years we have managed to achieve 90 per cent occupancy. This year occupancy is up at 95 per cent and could well reach an all-time high this season.

'That hasn't come about just by going on increasing and increasing ticket prices.

'Clubs across the board are generally working very hard to keep ticket prices at the point where people will still keep coming through the gates.

'The most important things are A, we keep grounds full and B, we have rules about making away allocations available to away fans.

'As a top priority we must keep away fans attending. Clearly it is for individual clubs to get that right.'

There has also been discussion in recent months about the possible provision of safe standing areas at grounds.

All clubs in the Premier League must have all-seater stadiums and Scudamore made clear he does not want to see the return of terracing.

He said: 'As an administrator it is a very difficult one.

'If anything goes wrong we are, and quite rightly, held to account.

Massive prices: Manchester City fans will have to fork out a huge £86 to see their side take on Viktoria Plzen

Money talks: Some sections of home fans at Arsenal have been asked to pay up to £126 for a ticket

'There are obviously ways and means of doing it but we have seen some incidences this year where being able to identify who is sat in which seat is a very useful thing to do.

'From a safety and security point of view, and all-round generally, I wouldn't want to take the risk.