League Championship Side Blackpool Suing Fan For Up To $227,000 Over Internet Posts

League Championship side Blackpool has "launched legal proceedings against a fan" and is suing him for up to £150,000 ($226,500), according to Jack Gaughan of the London DAILY MAIL. The Seasiders supporter received a "letter of claim" on Dec. 19 from the controlling family, the Oystons. In it "they say a series of untruths had been published as 'fact' about chairman Karl Oyston, his father Owen and the football club on an internet messageboard last year." A number of the club's supporters have "received letters over the past month after serious allegations online." But this is "the first to include a claim form -- and a High Court date in Manchester looms." Blackpool asserts Owen has "suffered considerable hurt, distress and embarrassment" after the online slurs (DAILY MAIL, 1/6).