The Ricketts family remain determined to buy out Roman Abramovich and today issued a passionate response to the backlash from Chelsea fans.
The owners of the Chicago Cubs baseball team are facing growing resistance from supporters, who are calling for their bid to be dismissed following historic racist emails sent by their patriarch, Joe Ricketts.
But the family are trying to quell unrest and Tom Ricketts, who is leading the bid, plans to fly to London to meet with the club’s Supporters’ Trust and Chelsea Pitch Owners PLC.
The family have issued a statement denouncing racism and Islamophobia — and Standard Sport can exclusively reveal they have been endorsed by a prominent Muslim leader in Chicago, who has praised their work in the community.
But they face a battle to win round supporters if they are successful in their bid to buy the European champions, with Chelsea legend Paul Canoville also voicing his opposition last night.
In a statement, the Ricketts family said: “We reject any form of hate in the strongest possible terms. Racism and Islamophobia have no place whatsoever in our society.
“We have developed deep and abiding partnerships with the Muslim community in Chicago, as well as with all communities of colour. Respect for diversity and inclusion are central to our family’s values. If we prevail in our bid for Chelsea, we commit to the club and fans that we will actively promote these values.”
Joe Ricketts is not involved in the bid to buy Chelsea but his emails, sent between 2009-13, are casting a shadow over the family’s hopes of landing the European champions.
On social media, #NoToRicketts is being used to gather support. In one email, Joe Ricketts wrote: “Muslims are naturally my enemy,” for which he was condemned by his own family.
The response from the family has been praised by a branch of the largest Muslim civil liberties group in the US — the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Chicago.
Their executive director, Ahmed Rehab, lauded Tom Ricketts’ efforts. In a statement to Standard Sport, he said: “I was at the time impressed by the genuine remorse expressed by Tom for personal comments he and his organisation had no control over, or blame for.
“Nevertheless, Tom and the team stepped up to the plate and listened attentively to our concerns with sensitivity and care. Since that time, they have worked closely with the Muslim community on several good causes that benefit the Chicago community – though my organisation never received a penny for any of our projects, a decision I made to avoid conflict of interest.
“Today, as the Ricketts family makes a bid for Chelsea Football Club, I have seen some efforts to use this unfortunate incident against them and their bid, and so, as one of the primary actors in that episode, I must step in to say in good conscience that I believe the Ricketts family and our community have moved well beyond that moment and are in a very positive place.
“And this is in no small part thanks to the leadership of Tom Ricketts and Julian Green of the Cubs. In fact, I believe they have displayed an exemplary precedent in how to apologise for a mistake and make amends, again despite this being an individual mistake that was not related to Tom or the Cubs.
“Today, I throw my support behind the Ricketts family bid for Chelsea, both as a Muslim leader who has seen the goodness of their character and community work, and as a die-hard football fan who grew up in England and who to this day does not miss a Premier League game.
“I think a legendary club like Chelsea will be in good, safe, and experienced hands with ownership like this – who know sport, who know fans, who know community, and who express humility yet boldness in dealing with both big dreams and hiccups along the way. I am confident that Tom and the team will usher in brighter days ahead for Chelsea.”
Chelsea Supporters’ Trust are yet to publicly oppose the Ricketts bid, but have said in a statement: “We continue to reaffirm that any new owner must share the inclusive views of Chelsea FC and our diverse support base.”
Bidders have been left to wait into a fifth day to see if they have been shortlisted by US bank, Raine Group, which is handling the sale.
The Ricketts family are considered frontrunners, along with Todd Boehly, Woody Johnson, Sir Martin Broughton and Saudi Media. Property tycoon Nick Candy is also hoping to take control of the club after upping his bid to “significantly” more than £2billion.
Saudi investor Amr Zedan is the latest to emerge as a bidder, with the sheer number of offers received before last Friday’s deadline believed to be a reason for the delay in announcing a shortlist. Candidates thought they would learn on Monday or Tuesday if they had progressed to the next stage.
