Chelsea takeover: Rock Entertainment Group join Ricketts bid

The Ricketts family have strengthened their bid to buy Chelsea having secured significant additional funding.

The owners of the Chicago Cubs are among the leading candidates to take over Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.

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They have faced backlash from Chelsea fans due to to historic racist emails sent by the Ricketts family’s patriarch, Joe.

Supporters protested the bid ahead of their clash with Brentford on Saturday.

But the family remain determined to press on and have significantly strengthened their bid having received additional funding from the owners of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.

Rock Entertainment Group – led by Dan Gilbert, who is worth £23billion – have joined the consortium, according to the Evening Standard.

In the wake of the fan backlash, the Ricketts family released a statement outlining an eight-point blueprint for Chelsea.

The statement read: ‘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. We will:

‘1. Make no change to the club’s name, badge and crest, or Chelsea blue, without the consent of supporters.

‘2. Never participate in a European Super League and always protect the integrity and heritage of Chelsea F.C.

‘3. 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.

‘4. Put diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club and fight against any form of discrimination or inequality.

‘5. 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.

‘6. Explore every option to redevelop Stamford Bridge and do everything in our power to keep playing in this historic stadium.

‘7. Match the current commitment to Chelsea F.C. Women and increase the number of women’s matches played at Stamford Bridge.

‘8. Continue the vital charitable work of the Chelsea Foundation, seeking to use the power of football and sport to motivate, educate and inspire.’