Blackpool fined £50k over pitch invasion

Blackpool, whose fans had been protesting against the club’s owning Oyston family, denied an FA charge of failing to control spectators. Referee Mick Russell called off play after the mobs refused to move.

The supporters’ protest, which lasted over an hour, has led to the club being “severely warned as to future conduct” following an independent regulatory commission hearing.

Blackpool’s pre-season friendly at Lancaster earlier this month was also abandoned after a number of fans invaded the pitch.

The Seasiders’ game against Huddersfield Town at Bloomfield Road on May 2 had to be abandoned when supporters staged a pitch invasion.

More demonstrations from supporters unhappy with the Oystons’ running of the club have followed since the end of last season.

The statement added that Blackpool will also be forced to play a competitive home game behind closed doors if similar behaviour occurs next season. The club’s chief has recently been fined £40,000 and banned from football activity for six weeks after branding one fan a “retard” during a heated exchange.

Neil McDonald, former assistant manager at West Ham, has since been appointed as Clark’s successor.