The Ricketts family will fly to London to meet Chelsea Pitch Owners and the club’s supporters trust

The Ricketts family will fly to London in hope of smoothing over growing tensions over their bid to buy Chelsea, despite receiving no confirmation that they had even made it on the shortlist of preferred offers.

Bidders were still awaiting news of which offers had made the cut on Tuesday night, nevertheless representatives of the Ricketts family – whose bid will be part-funded by hedge fund manager Ken Griffin – will fly to England amid objections from Blues supporters about their proposed takeover.

Once in the capital they are expected to meet Chelsea Pitch Owners and the club’s supporters trust.

But they could face uncomfortable questioning from fans who do not want the Ricketts Family at the helm amid concerns over their cultural beliefs.

Patriarch of the family Joe Ricketts was forced to apologise for describing Muslims as an ‘enemy’ in leaked emails dated back to 2012.

Since making the comments, Ricketts has apologised for his words and insisted they ‘didn’t reflect his value system’. 

‘I deeply regret and apologize for some of the exchanges I had in my emails. Sometimes I received emails that I should have condemned,’ he said in a statement.

‘Other times I’ve said things that don’t reflect my value system. I strongly believe that bigoted ideas are wrong.’ 

The Ricketts family could face uncomfortable questioning from fans who do not want the them at the helm amid concerns over their cultural beliefs 

Chelsea fans have been left shocked after news that the Ricketts family are preparing an offer for the club, years after their father (pictured) said ‘muslims are my enemy’ in leaked emails  

Sportsmail revealed last week that Chelsea’s muslim players including Antonio Rudiger, N’Golo Kante, Hakim Ziyech and Malang Sarr would feel compromised if the Ricketts bid is successful – another problem they will have to navigate if they are selected as the club’s new owners.

Sources close to the Ricketts consortium say Joe is not part of the proposed Chelsea takeover.

But it remains an issue for fans while Paul Canoville, Chelsea’s first black player, took to social media in opposition of the Ricketts bid.

‘So I’ve seen and heard enough,’ he wrote. ‘I’m backing the Chelsea Supporters Trust and saying a big fat anti-racism NO to the Ricketts bid!! Please can you stop even mentioning it.’