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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/mar/23/blackpool-chairman-karl-oyston-charged-calling-fan-massive-retard
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| Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston charged by FA over text row with fan | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Blackpool chairman, Karl Oyston, has been charged by the Football Association with misconduct following a text message exchange with a supporter during which he called the fan a “massive retard”. | |
| A Blackpool fan, Stephen Smith, accused Oyston of being clueless and the Football League board member replied: “Are you sure we’ve met? I would have remembered such a massive retard”. Another message told Smith to consider himself banned from Bloomfield Road and to “enjoy the rest of your special needs day out”. Oyston also received abuse in the exchange. | A Blackpool fan, Stephen Smith, accused Oyston of being clueless and the Football League board member replied: “Are you sure we’ve met? I would have remembered such a massive retard”. Another message told Smith to consider himself banned from Bloomfield Road and to “enjoy the rest of your special needs day out”. Oyston also received abuse in the exchange. |
| Blackpool have endured a miserable season and are bottom of the Championship, with relegation to League One all but certain. A number of their supporters boycotted the 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Saturday in protest against the running of the club by Oyston and his father, the owner Owen Oyston. | Blackpool have endured a miserable season and are bottom of the Championship, with relegation to League One all but certain. A number of their supporters boycotted the 1-1 draw against Leeds United on Saturday in protest against the running of the club by Oyston and his father, the owner Owen Oyston. |
| A statement from the FA read: “Blackpool FC chairman Karl Oyston has been charged by The FA in relation to comments made in a text message exchange. | A statement from the FA read: “Blackpool FC chairman Karl Oyston has been charged by The FA in relation to comments made in a text message exchange. |
| “It is alleged that the misconduct constituted five breaches of FA rules, and that during the text message exchange, Mr Oyston used abusive and/or insulting words towards a supporter of Blackpool FC. It is further alleged that each of these five breaches of FA Rule E3(1) is an ‘Aggravated Breach’ as defined in Rule E3(2), as each included a reference to disability.” | “It is alleged that the misconduct constituted five breaches of FA rules, and that during the text message exchange, Mr Oyston used abusive and/or insulting words towards a supporter of Blackpool FC. It is further alleged that each of these five breaches of FA Rule E3(1) is an ‘Aggravated Breach’ as defined in Rule E3(2), as each included a reference to disability.” |
| Oyston has until 6pm on 30 March to respond to the charges. In December the Blackpool chairman apologised for his role in the text exchange and released a statement on the club’s website. | Oyston has until 6pm on 30 March to respond to the charges. In December the Blackpool chairman apologised for his role in the text exchange and released a statement on the club’s website. |
| It read: “I would like to unreservedly apologise for any offence or distress caused by my text responses reported in the media recently. I regret stooping to the level of those threatening and abusing my family. My mobile number was placed on a social media website recently and it led to a barrage of abuse about my mother, father, wife, children and myself. In hindsight the aim of this was clear, and I foolishly opted to challenge some of the abuse, harassment and threats.” | |
| Smith said to the Press Association of Oyston’s charge: “It’s pleasing to know the FA have finally taken action and that he’s been charged with misconduct. I hope the punishment is fit and proper for the act that he has committed.” | |
| In the month that Oyston’s comments came to light, the then Wigan chairman, Dave Whelan, was suspended from all football-related activities for six weeks and fined £50,000 over remarks he made to the Guardian regarding Jewish and Chinese people in defending the appointment of the manager Malky Mackay. | |
| Whelan was found to have breached FA Rule E3(1), whereas Oyston’s alleged misconduct amounts to five breaches of the same rule. Oyston’s position on the Football League board could come under scrutiny if he is found guilty. |