The Ricketts family have taken another step in their attempts to win over the Chelsea fanbase ahead of a potential takeover of the club.
After Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale, the Ricketts family have been one of the main names tipped to take over at Stamford Bridge.
However, they have received a fair bit of fan backlash. As per football.london, ‘this comes after leaked emails via Splinter were re-posted from 2017 revealing Islamophobic remarks by Joe Ricketts.
The most shared of the quotes across Chelsea fans on social media referred to Islam as a “cult” and revealed the patriarch of the family commenting that “Muslims are naturally my (our) enemy due to their deep antagonism and bias against non-Muslims”.’
Ricketts family reveal eight-point plan
The backlash has included the creation of the NoToRicketts hashtag and a small protest from Chelsea fans on Saturday:
“F*** off the Ricketts, you’re not wanted here.” #cfc #NoToRicketts pic.twitter.com/wyd0b04Huo
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) April 2, 2022
Now, in an attempt to win over fans, the Ricketts family have released a fresh statement that also includes an eight-point plan: “Over the past fortnight, the Ricketts Family has met with several Chelsea supporter groups and carefully listened to all their feedback.
“As we enter the next phase of the process, we are sharing a list of specific commitments that give fans a pivotal role in protecting Chelsea’s heritage and building for future success.
“We will continue to discuss our ambitions for the club with fans and the wider football community in the coming days.”
They then listed those commitments, saying they would:
- Make no change to the club’s name, badge and crest, or Chelsea blue, without the consent of supporters.
- Never participate in a European Super League and always protect the integrity and heritage of Chelsea F.C.
- Commit the resources necessary across all levels of the club to continue winning trophies, including investing in the first team, experienced football leadership and the Academy.
- Put diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club and fight against any form of discrimination or inequality.
- Create an Advisory Committee with diverse representation to ensure our decisions are informed by: a former men’s and women’s first team player, members of the CST and Chelsea Pitch Owners, and influential community leaders.
- Explore every option to redevelop Stamford Bridge and do everything in our power to keep playing in this historic stadium.
- Match the current commitment to Chelsea F.C. Women and increase the number of women’s matches played at Stamford Bridge.
- Continue the vital charitable work of the Chelsea Foundation, seeking to use the power of football and sport to motivate, educate and inspire.
Ricketts family issues eight-point plan of commitments to Chelsea fans to ease anger over takeover bid | @ben_rumsby + @Matt_Law_DT https://t.co/VjX7LPuWq2
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) April 3, 2022
