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LONDON (AP) – The Chicago Cubs owners have set out their vision for Chelsea should they succeed in their bid to buy the English club.
And it includes a promise never to play in a European Super League.
The Ricketts family released an eight-point plan for Chelsea’s future on Sunday, describing it as a “list of commitments that give supporters a central role in protecting the club”, which has been put up for sale by its Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich. Chelsea supporters have raised concerns about the Ricketts’ candidacy amid historic offensive comments made by Joe Ricketts, the father of the Cubs chairman.
The family have met with several Chelsea fan groups in recent days and set out their “commitments” based on their feedback.
Among other things, the Ricketts family said: “We will never participate in a European Super League and will always protect the integrity and legacy of Chelsea FC.”
Chelsea were one of 12 clubs that launched a European breakaway competition last year. It was abandoned by Chelsea and the five other English clubs involved within days.
The family also said they would put “diversity and inclusion” at the heart of the club and would “not make any changes to the club’s name, badge and crest or Chelsea blue without the consent of the fans”.
Final submissions from bidders are due on April 11th.
Abramovich was forced to sell the reigning world and European champions after being sanctioned in Britain and having his assets frozen as part of a crackdown on oligarchs following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea have won 21 trophies in the 19 years in Abramovich’s possession and have relied on his generous investment to become one of Europe’s most successful clubs.
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