Blackpool FC president urges Oyston to quit

Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston has been urged to resign by the club's president Valeri Belokon after he called a supporter a "retard".

Latvian Belokon, who owns 20 per cent of the club's shares and also stated he would be prepared to buy out the Oyston family if they were interested in selling, insisted Oyston should quit the Sky Bet Championship club after he engaged in a series of foul-mouthed text messages with Seasiders supporter Stephen Smith.

As well as referring to Smith as a "retard", Oyston also told him to "enjoy the rest of your special needs day out".

The Football Association is understood to be gathering information on the situation but Oyston is already facing in-house calls for his head from Belokon.

"I will write a letter to Karl," Belokon told BBC Radio 5 Live on Tuesday evening.

"I think it's very important of the FA - they will be deciding too - but I will write a letter to Karl Oyston and he should maybe go.

"I think him as a chairperson in this moment is not a good decision. I would like that he go as chairman."

Many Blackpool supporters perceive Belokon as a potential white knight and he provided them with further encouragement when asked whether he would be keen on increasing his stake.

"Shares of Blackpool...it's private property, so I would like that Karl Oyston or the Oyston family don't hold these shares; they would be much better sold," added the 54-year-old.

"Would I buy these shares? I spoke before - if I found really good local partners, I can do it."

When asked how much would be required to buy Blackpool, Belokon added: "I really don't have any idea.

"I have money, it's enough money for Blackpool Football Club but I really don't know what the opinion of the Oyston family is about this."

Belokon, Smith, who is a spokesperson for the Tangerine Knights group which published the messages on their Facebook page, and learning disability charity Mencap have all called on the FA to act on messages which Oyston apologised for on Monday.

In a statement issued through the club, Oyston said: "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.

"Given my position, I should have acted with more responsibility and reported the abusive text messages, phone calls and answer phone messages to the police, rather than get embroiled in such an exchange."

However, Belokon responded by suggesting such an apology was not heartfelt.

"Unfortunately, Mr Karl Oyston really cannot find good words when he discussed these fans," said Belokon.

"It is a big problem. Of course he apologised, but the apology's not from the heart; that's my private view.

"I don't believe that he really understands what he speaks."

Oyston and Belokon have previously been at loggerheads publicly over the lack of recruitment which left then manager Jose Riga with a paltry squad on the eve of this season.

At the time, Belokon accused Oyston of prioritising financial gain over on-field fortunes, while the Blackpool chairman countered by suggesting the Latvian was demanding #24million for his stake in the club.