Chelsea fans, ex-player respond to Ricketts family bid to buy club
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Ricketts family Senior Joe Ricketts was accused of Islamophobia after describing Muslims as his "enemy" in an email exchange three years ago.
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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
