One of the leading groups in the race to buy Chelsea has withdrawn from the process, leaving 3 on the shortlist.
The Ricketts family were considered favourites at times, thanks to their consortium’s vast wealth and their experience running major sports franchises.
But they were also the only group to have significant resistance to their bid, with Chelsea fans online and at Stamford Bride protesting about the prospect of owners with such a strong history of offensive beliefs taking over their club.
The statement from the Ricketts group claims these protests were not connected to their decision to withdraw, but that seems very unlikely.
That had come this far, into the final group of prospective owners, having jumped over all of Raine Group’s hurdles.
What would have have found out since then that put them off? It’s hard to imagine anything more significant than the pretty intense fan rejection of their attempt.
