Referee Ben Toner is no longer refereeing Blackpool’s Sky Bet League One clash with Portsmouth on Saturday due to the game being under “increased attention”.
The match is the Seasiders’ first since their majority owner the Oyston family were found guilty of “unfair prejudice” in their running of the club and were ordered to pay businessman Valeri Belokon, a minority shareholder, £31million.
Toner, from Lancashire, will instead take charge of the League Two meeting between Carlisle and Yeovil at Brunton Park.
I must say that the choice of referee for the Blackpool game is outstanding. Ben Toner. Give it a minute. You’ll get there. ???
— Keir (@superbuffetman) November 8, 2017
An EFL spokesman said: “As a result of the increased attention surrounding this weekend’s League One fixture between Blackpool and Portsmouth, PGMOL has determined it would be appropriate for a Select Group 1 referee to take charge of proceedings at Bloomfield Road.
“The previously selected official will instead fill a vacancy that has arisen at Brunton Park for the League Two match between Carlisle United and Yeovil Town, as the referee who was scheduled to officiate sustained an injury during Bury’s game with Stoke City Under-21s on Wednesday evening.”
The Oystons, who were found guilty of excluding Belokon’s company VB Football from key decisions, information and share of profits, put the club up for sale on Friday.
