Chelsea Pride, the Blues' official LGBTQ+ supporters group, have stated that whoever the next owners are must enhance the club's anti-discrimination work on all levels amid controversy surrounding the Ricketts Family and Woody Johnson.
Both American consortias have their own issues with members of the Ricketts Family and Johnson facing a social media backlash with the #NoToRicketts and #NoToJohnson hashtags being found regularly at this moment on Twitter.
Tom Ricketts, one of the younger members of the family, is still planning to continue out his London visit despite fears that the backlash could ultimately result in Raine not even shortlisting what were one of the frontrunners a couple of days ago. Despite their endorsement by the Muslim community back in Chicago coupled with their talks with a few Blues fans over the Atlantic recently, Chelsea Pride - just like the official Supporters Trust and Pitch Owners - want to see the club's diversity and anti-discrimination work enhanced.
READ MORE: Chelsea takeover: 'Chaotic' Nick Candy and John Terry prediction made amid Raine Group decision
Their statement read: 'We would like to share our thoughts and concerns relating to the potential new ownership of Chelsea FC. Chelsea Pride is one of many supporters' groups that seek to ensure that LGBTQ+ fans are welcome in football. Unfortunately, football has been rife with homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia, for generations. People who would otherwise have been passionate about the game have felt excluded and alienated.
"Whereas, for many playing and watching football is a wonderful experience, it can often become intolerable for LGBTQ+ fans who have often had to endure homophobic abuse throughout. Escaping prejudice in other parts of life only to see it return while playing or watching the sport we love is deeply destructive to our well being and, we believe, detrimental to the game more broadly, Chelsea Pride is one small part of trying to bring down those barriers and ensuring everyone feels welcome at Stamford Bridge at Kingsmeadow.
"Like all Chelsea fans, we are desperate to see new owners in place as soon as possible. We want them to invest in all aspects of the club and lead us to a brighter future after what has been a turbulent time. It is clear that major changes will now happen at the club going forward. The war in Ukraine has made a change in ownership a necessity, and we would like to make it clear that we stand with people of Ukraine, who are victims of an appalling Russian invasion.
"While we accept that necessary changes are coming, we would like to praise the club for working so hard to tackle discrimination, including homophobia, biphobia and transphobia. The club as been truly progressive in this regard, and we have certainly listened to and supported throughout. There is still much that we could and should do together, but we have been very confident in the direction that we have been going in. We want to see such work continue but also be enhanced. In addition to on-the-pitch ambition, we would like new owners to show similar levels of ambition off it. With this in mind, we have two questions for people who wish to own Chelsea FC.
"1. What are your personal commitment to enhancing LGBTQ+ inclusion in football? 2. How will you not only continue with, but also enhance existing working to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion in football and tackle homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia?
"To those who will be involved in shortlisting bids, we would simply ask you to consider whether it is appropriate for the club to be owned by those who are either unable to answer such questions or would even potentially oppose LGBTQ+ inclusion, we believe that direct and frank conversations need to be had about this. Ultimately, we want what is best for the club. We want to see investment that allows our men's women's and youth teams continue competing at the highest level. But football clubs are also about for more than winning. They are powerful vehicles for social change. They can bring people together and provide opportunities for people across the globe. Football can be a game changer for so many people, and it is important that our club reflects this.
"As a group, we call upon all those involved with the takeover process to ensure that our new owners are clearly and committed to the values of equality, diversity, and inclusion, that have become central to the values of our club. The Chelsea Pride committee."
