Chelsea New Owner: Ricketts family – The Ricketts family have outlined a list of commitments if they win the bid to buy Chelsea, saying they would never allow the Premier League club to participate in a European Super League while also exploring the option of redeveloping Stamford Bridge. They sang songs and raised aloft handmade cardboard signs citing opposition to the bid, mostly on the grounds of racist and homophobic remarks attributed to members of the family, owners of the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Follow InsideSport.IN for the latest sports news and updates.
Chelsea New Owner: Chelsea’s potential new owners the Ricketts family release ‘Eight Point Plan’ that includes Stamford Bridge redevelopment and rejection of Super League – Check out
The Ricketts family have released eight commitments if they become owners of Chelsea Football Club. They include:
📌No changes to club name, badge or crest without consent
📌 Never participate in a European Super League
📌 Diversity and inclusionpic.twitter.com/FQRffzTXMI— Sky Sports (@SkySports) April 3, 2022
Chelsea New Owner: What promises have the Ricketts family made so far?
- A commitment to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club and fight against all forms of discrimination and inequality are among the pledges the family have made to fan groups.
- To create an Advisory Committee with diverse representation to ensure decisions are informed by: a former men’s and women’s first team player, members of the Chelsea Supporters Trust and Chelsea Pitch Owners, and influential community leaders.
- To improve Chelsea Women’s team and increase the number of women’s matches played at Stamford Bridge.
- Will not change the club’s name
- Will not change the club’s current badge
- No change to the club colours until consent from supporters
- The Ricketts family will never allow the club to participate in the European Super League
- Options to redevelop Stamford Bridge will be considered
The Americans who are leading a bid that also includes hedge fund manager Ken Griffin and multi-billionaire Dan Gilbert are also promising not to make any changes to the club’s name, badge or colours without the consent of supporters and vowing to invest in the team to ensure they continue to challenge for major trophies.
The Ricketts, who own the Chicago Cubs baseball team, have been included on the shortlist to buy the London club but came under pressure from the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) who said 77% of its members do not support their bid.
Chelsea New Owner: Chelsea’s potential new owners list down strong promises
The Ricketts said they had met with several Chelsea supporters over the past couple of weeks and listened to 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,” they said in a statement on Sunday. “We will continue to discuss our ambitions for the club with fans and the wider football community in the coming days.”
The CST does not have a seat on Chelsea’s board or the power to veto its decisions and is seeking greater influence at the club. The Ricketts family said they would have a seat on an advisory committee.
They added the advisory committee would have a former men’s and women’s first team player, members of the CST and Chelsea Pitch Owners, and “influential community leaders”. Other commitments include investing in the first team and academy to “continue winning trophies” and ensuring the women’s team also plays matches at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea were put up for sale by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich before sanctions were imposed on the oligarch by the British government, effectively giving it control of the club. US Bank Raine Group is overseeing the sale and the winning bidder must also be approved by the government.
Chelsea New Owner: Chelsea’s potential new owners the Ricketts family release ‘Eight Point Plan’ that includes Stamford Bridge redevelopment and rejection of Super League
Inputs from Reuters
