Manchester City defeated Arsenal by 2-0 on Sunday, but that match is more popular for the ticket pricing row. Notably, Arsenal set a ticket pricing which was unprecedented until now; they set 62 pounds a ticket for City fans if they want to follow their team, perhaps this issued was more in news ever since Arsenal raised the tickets prices to deprive City fans to cheer their fans. Moreover, City had to return back more than a third of its allotted tickets to Holloway club citing prices were too high. Now, when everything seemed to be concluded in City’s favor, another interesting thing happened on the ground where linesman John Brooks was seen through rolling camera advising Joleon Lescott and Joe Hart to acknowledge their fans who have spent a pricey amount to come here and cheer their team. Perhaps, city fans who attended the match were with a banner that reads as “£62!! Where will it stop?” It was more a protest to show the world how arbitrary ticket pricing was fixed for this match.
Notably, out of 3000 tickets allocated to city, only 900 fans came to cheer their team, reason? City returned the remaining tickets for obvious reasons. However, the banner was down by ground police in order to maintain the peace. The Metropolitan Police said, “Officers assisted stewards at Emirates Stadium in order to prevent a breach of the peace, after away supporters were asked by stewards to take down a banner.” Likewise, many fans groups have raised their voices through social media against the issue. The matter heated up further when EPL decided not to intervene in the matter saying it is a personal matter of two clubs; hence they are no one to say something, though, they have sympathy for city fans. EPL chief Executive: Richard Scudamore said, “They have clearly made a judgment 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. As a top priority, we must keep away fans attending. Clearly it is for individual clubs to get that right.”
Another interesting thing happened post match when linesman John Brooks, who was seen asking city players to thank fans, is taken down from his official duties. Moreover, an assistant referee has also been rested for the Tuesday’s FA Cup third round replay between West Bromwich Albion and QPR. Telling the reasons for it, PGMOL said they have a right to change any official at a short notice if they think so.