Linesman taken off duty in wake of City comments

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

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 is widely believed to have been stood down to relieve him of extra pressure after he 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 had returned more than 900 of the club's 3,000 tickets for the match in protest at high prices.

Updated January 15, 2013