• Ar
  • Es
Al Mayadeen English
  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Feature
  • Videos
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Feature
Videos
Infographs
In Pictures
  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Europe
  4. Chelsea fans, ex-player respond to Ricketts family bid to buy club
Europe

Chelsea fans, ex-player respond to Ricketts family bid to buy club

  • By Al Mayadeen Net
  • Source: Agencies
  • 23 Mar 21:51
  • 1 Shares

Ricketts family Senior Joe Ricketts was accused of Islamophobia after describing Muslims as his "enemy" in an email exchange three years ago.

  • Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale following Russia's special military operation of Ukraine.
    Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale following Russia's special military operation of Ukraine.

The Ricketts family has insisted it rejects all forms of hate after Chelsea fans and an ex-player voiced concerns over the bid by the Major League Baseball side Chicago Cubs owners to buy the Premier League club.

The family is one of a number of parties who have expressed an interest in taking over from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, who put the European champions up for sale following Russia's special military operation of Ukraine.

Family patriarch Joe Ricketts, who is not involved in the family bid for the London club, was accused of Islamophobia in 2019, after a string of emails were leaked.

The family has moved to distance itself from the accusations, claiming it "rejects any form of hate in the strongest possible terms."

"Racism and Islamophobia have no place whatsoever in our society," the family confirmed in a statement.

The Ricketts family said it has "developed deep and abiding partnerships with the Muslim community in Chicago, as well as with all communities of color."

"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 to the fans that we will actively promote these values," the statement concluded.

Joe Ricketts had described Muslims as "my enemy" in an email exchange three years ago.

The Ricketts Senior later apologized for the comments, while his son Tom, the Chicago Cubs chairman who is leading the Chelsea bid, distanced himself from his father's assertions.

Chelsea supporters have expressed concerns over the bid to club officials, while Thomas Tuchel's squad features four Muslim stars inluding N'Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger, Hakim Ziyech, and Malang Sarr.

Former Chelsea winger Paul Canoville - the club's first black player - was outspoken on social media, tweeting: "A big fat anti-racism NO to the Ricketts bid!!"

So I’ve seen and heard enough. I’m backing @ChelseaSTrust and saying a big fat anti racism NO to the Ricketts bid!! Please can you stop even mentioning it @SkySportsNews @GregHands #NoToRicketts

— Paul Canoville (@Kingcanners) March 22, 2022

  • United States
  • Baseball
  • Chicago
  • Europe
  • Islam
  • Russia
  • US
  • Chelsea
  • Islamophobia
  • English Premier League
  • Muslim
  • Ukraine
  • Premier League

Trending Now

All
Pakistan PM suggests China, Islamic countries mediate in Ukraine

Pakistan PM suggests China, Islamic countries mediate in Ukraine

Most Read

The Richard G. Lugar Center for Public Health Research, outside Tbilisi, is purportedly the mothership in a network of U.S. bioweapons labs in the post-Soviet space, according to Russian government officials. (US Army Lt. Col. Jamie Blow)

Head of Lancet Covid-19 board: Coronavirus might have come from US lab

  • US & Canada
  • 1 Jul
The wind blows eastwards, the Saudis know it

The wind blows eastwards, the Saudis know it

  • Analysis
  • 26 Jun
Ecstasy drug lab found at NATO airbase in Belgium

Ecstasy drug lab found at NATO airbase in Belgium

  • Europe
  • 29 Jun
Poll: 25% of Americans willing to take up arms against US government

Poll: 25% of Americans willing to take up arms against US government

  • US & Canada
  • 1 Jul

Read this

All
Independent Algeria turns 60, but he colonial wounds still bleed.
MENA

Independent Algeria soon to be 60, colonial wounds still bleeding

  • 2 Jul
Palestinian prisoner Zubaidi
Palestine

Palestinian prisoner Al-Zubaidi gets a master's degree

  • 2 Jul
Germany to return Nigerian stolen bronze
Africa

Germany to return stolen Nigerian Benin Bronzes

  • 2 Jul
3 police dead in Kentucky while serving domestic violence warrant.
US & Canada

3 police dead in Kentucky shooting serving domestic violence warrant

  • 2 Jul
Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS