"I can report the vast majority of opinion has been of universal disdain." Those were the pointed words of Brian Wolff, head of Chelsea's Chicago Supporters Club and Chelsea Fans' Forum Overseas Representative.
Wolff's words encapsulated a lot of the concerns shared by fans online since reports emerged of the Ricketts family's interest to buy the club from Roman Abramovich in a statement released from his Twitter account on Monday evening.
The statement went on to list a number of those concerns. Citing their "political donations, fundraising and support for candidates who do not share the inclusive views of Chelsea Football Club and its supporters". Also mentioning the 19 years of work done by the club and Chelsea Foundation, becoming "a leader in committing to a Living Wage, and efforts to protect and promote equality for the BAME and LGBTQ+ communities."
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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".
As was quickly noted, Chelsea have four Muslim players in the first-team squad in Antonio Rudiger, N'Golo Kante, Hakim Ziyech and Malang Sarr. Along with Chelsea fans with the same faith and their reaction to a Ricketts takeover.
Tom Ricketts, son of Joe, is the current owner of the Chicago Cubs. Despite sharing the same surname, they have noted that their father is not involved in the Chelsea bid.
Beyond those very serious and offensive remarks, Wolff notes that their ownership and redevelopment of Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs' stadium, "raises serious doubts whether they will build upon the club's success on the pitch." Also showing concern for their potential view on the Chelsea Pitch Owners and their goal of keeping the club at Stamford Bridge.
Other Chicago natives gave their thoughts to a piece last week in the Chicago Tribune, firmly rejecting the potential takeover. "Most of our members here in the States and overseas do not want the Ricketts to get close to Chelsea." Carlos Del Pozo of Chelsea Chicago, a supporter group. "They don't understand the sport. They have no connection to Chelsea."
This all increases the importance of fan involvement in the sale process, with fears Chelsea could walk into an adversarial relationship with their new owners from the get-go, a toxic situation that has unravelled over the past decade across London at Arsenal with the Kroenke's and with the Glazers at Manchester United.
It was telling the Chelsea Supporters' Trust, a group helping to lead the fight for greater supporter influence, released a statement on the same evening as Wolff noting that along with the proposal of a "Golden Share" to protect "the club's heritage". The statement finishes by reaffirming that "any new owner must share the inclusive views of Chelsea FC and our diverse support base".
These are vital days in the history of the club. The Ricketts' political connections, along with their previous scandals and wide disdain from those who know them, should raise major alarm bells, no matter their wealth.
Chelsea cannot start their new era in such a combative and hostile way, particularly with a club that has consistently attempted to improve its reputation with a number of vital outreach projects and support for BAME and LGBTQ+ communities. Little about the Ricketts bid inspires hope Chelsea can move forward from this current crisis.
