Linesman who advised Man City stars to thank fans for paying high ticket prices taken off duty

LONDON – The linesman who advised Manchester City's players to thank fans for paying 62 pounds ($100) to watch one of the team's road games has been taken off duty for an FA Cup match.

John Brooks was down to run the line for Tuesday's third-round replay between West Bromwich Albion and Queens Park Rangers at The Hawthorns.

Brooks was heard telling City players Joleon Lescott and Joe Hart during post-match handshakes after Sunday's English Premier League match at Arsenal: "They've paid 62 quid over there — go and see them."

City returned more than 900 of the club's 3,000 tickets for the match in protest of high prices.