Chelsea fans have take to social media to announce their plans to protest against the club’s potential new owners the Ricketts at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The US-based family, who own the Chicago Cubs MLB baseball team, have entered a bid to take over the London-based club from Roman Abramovich.
However, the Chelsea fanbase have shared their concern over the Ricketts after discriminatory comments made by the family have resurfaced.
Chelsea fans have take to social media to announce their plans to protest against the club’s potential new owners the Ricketts (Tom Ricketts pictured above)
YouTuber, Matissearmani, took to Twitter to urge fans to use this weekend’s west London derby with Brentford to stand their ground against the Ricketts family.
He shared a graphic shortly after a Chelsea supporter group called ‘We are the shed’ announced their plans to conduct a protest on Saturday.
The YouTuber said: ‘We can no longer just stand around, we must now stand together! #NotoRickettsprotest’.
‘A moment in time that could alter the way your club operates for the rest of your lifetime. You’ve spoken online now speak outside. Bring your banners and signs. Keep the peace, to protect the point. 12pm. 2/4/22’.
It went on to outline the reason behind the protest by saying: ‘The protest against Ricketts family and their bid for Chelsea Football Club is based on the following.
‘1/ Peter Ricketts – ‘The problem I have with you people’ when addressing black community leaders back in 2020.
‘2/ In leaked emails, Joe Ricketts claimed that Muslims were enemies, and that Islam is a ‘thing of evil’ and ‘not a religion’. The leaked emails also included denouncing Islam as a cult and mocking racist jokes.
‘3/ Todd Ricketts referred to COVID-19 as the ‘Kung-flu’ weeks before President Trump’s rally.
‘4/ Pete Ricketts is also against same-sex marriage, which massively contradicts Chelsea FC’s work with the LGBTQ+ community.
Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale on March 2 amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Ricketts, 56, chairman of the Cubs, is fronting the Blues bid being co-financed by Ken Griffin
‘When speaking in 2013 about Laura Ricketts, a leader in Chicago’s ‘gay rights movement’ he said: ‘My sister is gay, but I disagree with her on this issues’.
‘5/ Despite Pete reportedly not being directly on the board, his public viewpoints being related back to Chelsea FC and tarnishing the club’s image is a great concern.
‘We believe these points were overlooked, due to a working relationship that exists between the Raine Group and The Ricketts, a conflict of interest that has seen them make the shortlist.
‘We therefore call on the Government, Premier League and Chelsea FC to remove The Ricketts from the process.’
Their concerns stem from the fact leaked emails from 2012 revealed that the family’s 80-year-old father claimed ‘muslims are my enemy’ before describing Islam as a ‘cult’ and laughing at racist jokes.
Meanwhile, the head of the Chelsea Chicago Supporters Club, Brian Wolff – who is also a Cubs season-ticket holder – has warned a Ricketts family takeover would spell bad news for the club in terms of their ambition on the pitch.
The fan group have raised doubts about whether the family could deliver more success on the pitch, and claim that the club remaining at their Stamford Bridge home could even come under threat.
However, the Chelsea fanbase have shared their concern over the Ricketts after comments discriminatory comments from the family resurfaced
The Ricketts’ father Joe (pictured) also said ‘Muslims are my enemy’ in leaked emails
Mr Wolff also cited the controversies regarding their political beliefs – as well as their redevelopment of the Cubs’ stadium Wrigley Field, the project for which Tom Ricketts said at one stage had gone ‘around 100 per cent’ over budget – as reasons for concern.
‘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,’ he wrote in a statement posted on Twitter.
‘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.
Chelsea Chicago Supporters Club head Brian Wolff claims a Ricketts family takeover would spell bad news for the club
‘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.
‘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.’
More to follow…
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