Ricketts Family Drops Out of Race for Chelsea Football Club (2)

A consortium led by the Ricketts family said it was withdrawing its bid to buy Chelsea Football Club, leaving only three groups in the race for the ownership of last season’s European champions.

The Ricketts family, which came up against allegations of racism during the sales process that started in March, said Friday it became “increasingly clear that certain issues could not be addressed given the unusual dynamics around the sales process,” according to a text message.

Their withdrawal trims the hunt for Chelsea down to groups spearheaded by former Guggenheim Partners President Todd Boehly, British businessman Martin Broughton ...