RICKED INTO TOUCH Controversial Chelsea bidders The Ricketts OUT of running blaming ‘unusual dynamics’ for pulling plug on mega-money deal

THE RICKETTS family have WITHDRAWN their controversial bid to take over Chelsea.

Posted Saturday, April 16, 2022 by Thesun.co.uk

The Americans were one of four in the battle for control at Stamford Bridge but faced fan backlash from the outset.

RICKED INTO TOUCH Controversial Chelsea bidders The Ricketts OUT of running blaming ‘unusual dynamics’ for pulling plug on mega-money deal
Chicago Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts pictured in 2020 Credit: Getty

That followed after leaked emails from 2009 - released in 2019 -appeared to reveal Joe Ricketts saying "Muslims are my enemy".

It led to protests from supporters but SunSport understands that has nothing to do with the family pulling their bid.

An official statement read: "The Ricketts-Griffin-Gilbert Group has decided, after careful consideration, not to submit a final bid for Chelsea FC.

"In the process of finalising their proposal, it became increasingly clear that certain issues could not be addressed given the unusual dynamics around the sales process.

"We have great admiration for Chelsea and its fans, and we wish the new owners well."

The Ricketts family this week brought in fresh blood by recruiting India-born beer baron Lord Karan Bilimoria.

Chelsea were put up for sale after Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK Government over alleged links to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

A preferred bidder could be announced by the middle of next week and a deal completed by the end of the month.

Left in the race are Americans Steve Pagliuca and Todd Boehly both up against Brits Lord Seb Coe and Martin Broughton.

But it has been revealed Chelsea icon John Terry will play a key role in Pagliuca’s bid to become the club's next owner.

And the Boston Celtics basketball boss will now tap into the legendary defender’s expertise to help win the four-way race to take over from Abramovich.

Terry is part of the True Blues group which has now aligned itself to Pagliuca’s proposal to buy the £3billion-rated club.

RICKED INTO TOUCH Controversial Chelsea bidders The Ricketts OUT of running blaming ‘unusual dynamics’ for pulling plug on mega-money deal
The Ricketts family have withdrawn their controversial bid to takeover Chelsea Credit: Getty