Blackpool Chair Karl Oystongetty images
League One side Blackpool Chair Karl Oyston's future with the club "is hanging by a thread amid an escalating family feud following their humiliation in court." Club Owner Owen Oyston reportedly "wants to remove son Karl," a decision taken in the aftermath of being ordered to pay "estranged" club President Valeri Belokon £31M ($44M) for "unfair prejudice." The first £10M ($14.2M) of that sum was paid last month, with the next £10M installment due on Wednesday (London DAILY MAIL, 1/30).
The National Rugby League "has begun discussions on entering a Perth franchise into the NSW Cup within three years," according to Western Australia NRL boss John Sackson. In the "clearest sign yet of a possible expansion in Perth," it is understood the governing body is "exploring the idea of including a team from the west" in the U20 competition over the next two years. The "next aim would be submitting a reserve grade outfit the following year, before evolving into a possible NRL team" by the time the broadcast deal ends in '22 (AAP, 2/1).
