The head of the Chelsea Chicago Supporters Club, Brian Wolff, has slammed prospective owners, the Ricketts family.
The US consortium, led by Tom Ricketts, chairman of Major League Baseball club Chicago Cubs, is being backed by hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, who is reportedly worth $26.5b.
Despite the financial strength of the bid, Wolff has released a statement passionately urging the Raine Group – who are organising the sale – to reject the Ricketts family.
Wolff is a season ticket holder with the Cubs and claims that Chelsea will soon regret falling into the hands of the Ricketts.
“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.
“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.”
