Ben Toner at Blackpool? League takes safe option

Referee Ben Toner has been stood down from Blackpool’s League One clash with Portsmouth this afternoon after the Oyston family lost a court judgment over their running of the Lancashire club.

A High Court judge this week ordered the Oystons, the majority owners, to complete a full buy-out of the “entire interest” of VB Football Assets in Blackpool for £31.27 million. Former club president Valeri Belokon and his nominated directors said they had been excluded from key decisions, information and share of profits.

The Oystons have decided to sell the club, but their controversial history led many on social media to comment with amusement on the name of the match official designated for today’s game. The Football League has now selected Jon Moss, but claimed the switch had nothing to do with Toner’s name, but was down to “increased attention” around the fixture. Toner will take charge of the League Two match between Carlisle and Yeovil.

Blackpool were a Premier League side in 2010-11 before dropping down the divisions. However, Gary Bowyer’s team won promotion back to League One last season after victory in the play-off final at Wembley. The Blackpool Supporters’ Trust has long called for a change of ownership and chairman Christine Seddon said last night: “It’s like Christmas and birthdays all come early at once.”