Rival bidders for Chelsea are planning to form 'a syndicate' as the race for the club intensifies ahead of Friday's deadline.
The Ricketts family, who own American baseball team the Chicago Cubs, and billionaire hedge fund tycoon Ken Griffin have joined forces and will lodge a formal offer on Friday.
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| Roman Abrahimovich (middle), Nick Candy (right) and Todd Boehly (left) |
Nick Candy - What are the odds for him?
Candy has the funds and financial backers in place to make a proposal to Chelsea this week. He has promised to give Chelsea fans a seat on its board if his bid to buy the Stamford Bridge club is successful.
Other bidders are particularly keen to team up with him because he is a lifelong Chelsea supporter and because of his background in developing property in central London.
Candy also held talks with former Liverpool and British Airways chairman Sir Martin Broughton, another lifelong Blues fan, about such a deal.
In an interview with Sky Sports News - Candy revealed his passion for the club and his desire to become Roman Abramovich's successor, who was sanctioned last week after announcing his desire to sell the Blues.
"I've supported Chelsea since I was the age of four," Mr Candy told Sky Sports. "My dad was asked to play for Chelsea. I love Chelsea. I don't mind where it ends up, even if it's not with me, as long as it's in safe hands.
"One hundred per cent [the fans need to be included in ownership] and they should be involved. Both on the board and economically."
UK sanctions on Chelsea and it's effects
The UK Government have suggested to Chelsea they could start selling match tickets through a third party organisation to get past the sanctions placed on owner Abramovich.
The Blues cannot sell any more tickets to their fans - nor release any away tickets to visiting fans for Stamford Bridge games - under the licence handed to the Russian owner and the club last week which many believe to be solidly predicated on the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Chelsea requested this weekend's FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough be played 'behind closed doors' as the lack of Blues away fans there would damage the "sporting integrity" of the fixture and the competition. However, the west London club revoked that request after strong backlash from the football community.
However, the government want to let Chelsea start selling tickets again as soon as possible and one of the proposals they are working on is to hand over responsibility for selling tickets to a third party personnel or organization.
A third party would oversee the distribution of tickets to make certain that Roman Abramovich was not benefiting from the proceeds in any way.
The Sanctions on Roman Abrahimovich and it's implications
On Tuesday, the European Union imposed sanctions on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in new measures targeting Russia.
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| Roman Abrahimovich photographed at the 2021 UCL final |
The EU included the Russian oligarch in its updated list of individuals (Russian Oligarchs) facing assets freeze and travel bans due to his close contact or connection with Russian President - Vladimir Putin.
As it stands, Chelsea's Champions League last-16 second leg at Lille is going ahead as fixed on Wednesday, with talks continuing between UEFA and the EU.
A UEFA statement read: "UEFA is fully committed to always implementing relevant EU and international sanctions. Our understanding is that the present case is assessed in the context of the licence issued in the UK which allows Chelsea FC to continue minimum football activity whilst providing a safeguard that no financial gain will result for Mr Abramovich.
"We will work with the EU and other relevant member-states to ensure we have full clarity and remain in lockstep with all relevant and applicable measures in line with recent developments."
The Premier League also revealed on Tuesday their intention to introduce a new independent panel to scrutinize the ownership and sale of clubs - but not before Abramovich is expected to complete the sale of Chelsea.
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