Man City vs Burnley referee confirmed as official stood down for Arsenal clash returns to Etihad

John Brooks, who was scrapped from being the VAR official for Manchester City's top of the table Premier League clash with Arsenal last month, has been appointed as referee for the FA Cup quarter final tie with Burnley on Saturday.

Brooks was set to be the VAR for City's trip to the Emirates and the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton but was stripped of the posts after a high profile blunder during Brighton's top flight game with Crystal Palace.

The Seagulls had a goal disallowed for offside when Brooks had, by 'human error', drawn the offside lines from the incorrect defender. This decision cost Roberto De Zerbi's team two points and also led to an inquest from PGMOL chief Howard Webb.

ALSO READ: City training squad vs RB Leipzig

Webb called an emergency meeting after a number of high profile mistakes by VAR that weekend and made the decision to ask Brooks to step back from VAR duties. Since his error, the Leicestershire based referee has returned to the field to resume his officiating duties.

He has taken charge of four matches since the Selhurst Park incident which has included Sheffield United vs Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup, Reading vs Blackpool in the Championship and Nottingham Forest vs Everton and Bournemouth vs Liverpool in the Premier League. Saturday's match is arguably the most high profile match Brooks has refereed since the incident with a place in the FA Cup semi-finals on the line.

Pep Guardiola will welcome back Vincent Kompany's Burnley to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday tea time as the Blues aim to make it to the last four of the competition. The Clarets are performing well in the second tier and look set to make a return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

READ NEXT: