CHELSEA have been warned off the Ricketts family’s takeover bid by fans of his Chicago Cubs MLB franchise.
Family patriarch Joe Ricketts has already sparked deep concerns among the Blues fanbase, after Islamophobic emails sent in 2012 resurfaced.
Joe Ricketts is among the frontrunners to buy ChelseaCredit: Getty
Chelsea supporters were appalled last week when leaked emails sent by the 80-year-old emerged featuring a number of disturbing messages including “Muslims are my enemy”.
The Athletic claim that more than 20 bids were made to the Raine Group for Chelsea by last Friday’s deadline.
A shortlist of three is expected to be selected imminently, with the Ricketts family confident that they will make the cut.
The Chicago Cubs owners possess the backing of US hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, who is worth an estimated £20billion.
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Prospective buyers with existing experience of owning a sports team are thought be preferred, putting Ricketts in a strong position.
In 2016, the Ricketts-owned Cubs won their first World Series in over 100 years, but fans have still taken issue with their running of the MLB franchise.
As part of a lengthy open letter to all those involved in the sale of his beloved club, head of the Chelsea Chicago Supporters Club Brian Wolff, who also roots for the Cubs, pleaded for Ricketts’ bid to be rejected.
He wrote: “As the Head of Chelsea Chicago Supporters Club, and the Chelsea Fans’ Forum Overseas Representative, I’ve had a unique position hearing what supporters in Chicago and worldwide have said regarding the Ricketts family’s bid for Chelsea.
“I can report the vast majority of opinion has been of universal disdain.
“The Ricketts’ political donations, fundraising and support for candidates who do not share the inclusive views of Chelsea Football Club and its supporters are wholly inconsistent with 19 years of fantastic work done by the club and the Chelsea Foundation, most notably as a leader in committing to a living wage and efforts to protect and promote equality for BAME and LGBTQ+ communities.
“Their ownership of Chicago Cubs baseball and redevelopment of Wrigley Field raises serious doubts whether they will build upon the club’s success on the pitch, and also the continued existence of the Chelsea Pitch Owners and the goal to keep Chelsea Football Club playing at Stamford Bridge at our forever home.
I urge you to reject their bid for ownership of Chelsea Football Club
Brian Wolff
“On behalf of countless supporters worldwide, I urge you to reject their bid for ownership of Chelsea Football Club in favour of others who will commit to not only building upon the last two decades of investment in players and infrastructure, but equally important, the investment in supporters and the values we hold dear.”
The Ricketts family reportedly plan to speak to the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust – with the club’s West London home at the forefront of discussions, as well as Chelsea Pitch Owners PLC.
Their redevelopment of the Cubs’ Wrigley Field arena helps to back up their stated desire to upgrade Stamford Bridge.
Tom Ricketts has already met with Chelsea and Fulham Conservative MP Greg Hands.
In addition to Ricketts, LA Dodgers chief Todd Boehly is also among the frontrunners – on a list that also includes Brits Sir Martin Broughton and Nick Candy.
The latter is understood to have upped his initial £2billion bid over the weekend, having secured further financial backing from Korean finance institutions.
Nick Candy is also among those trying to buy the BluesCredit: Getty
