Referee is dropped for his name

REFEREE bosses have made the bizarre decision to take experienced official Ben Toner off Blackpool’s League One clash with Portsmouth this afternoon after his name caused amusement on social media. The Lancashire club’s majority owners, Owen Oyston and his son Karl, were found by a High Court judge on Monday to have been guilty of ‘fundamental breaches’ of their duties as directors. A number of Blackpool fans pointed out that if the referee’s name was said quickly it sounded like ‘Bent Owner’. The Oystons were ordered to pay £31million to former club president Valeri Belokon, and yesterday issued a statement confirming the club had been put up for sale. As for Toner, 32, who is in his third season as a Football League ref, discussions were held between League officials