The son of Blackpool chairman Karl Oyston has reportedly paid a supporter £20,000 in damages for wrongly accusing the individual of theft.

Sam Oyston, who is in his early 20s, made the allegation about Andy Grice, who worked in the Paris Casino on Bloomfield Road, on Twitter back in February.

Oyston, who is also the manager of the club's hotel, tweeted: "How come you left the casino? Or is it a touchy subject? #stickyfingers"

Young Oyston initially refused to retract his allegation, but in a statement published by the Blackpool Gazette on Tuesday, the chairman's son said: "I accept that my tweet would have been understood as alleging that Mr Grice was guilty of theft.

"That allegation was completely false and unfounded and I retract it. I also apologise unreservedly to Mr Grice for the damage and distress my actions have caused. I have agreed to pay Mr Grice damages and his legal costs in the total sum of £20,000."

The relationship between the club's owners and fans has become more strained than ever as numerous legal disputes are ongoing.