But, other than having to reassure fans that the anti-muslim emails of the family’s father and comments attributed to other members of family do not represent the views of those members of the Chelsea bid, the Ricketts will also now face questions over their proposed ownership.

A spokesman for the Ricketts in America has claimed that the owners of the Chicago Cubs will not have a controlling stake in Chelsea if their bid is successful. Asked to identify who would, Dennis Culloton said: “That’s still shaping up and if they’re successful, I’m sure there will be more to be shared on that.”

Ken Griffin, the chief executive of Citadel, is part of the Ricketts bid for Chelsea. He has previously been described as ‘a silent partner’ and there was no comment from his spokesman on whether or not the 53-year-old would take a controlling stake in Chelsea.

It emerged on Saturday night that the Rock Entertainment Group, headed by Dan Gilbert who is worth £16.5billion, has joined the Ricketts bid but the level of his investment has not been disclosed and there was still no confirmation over who would become Chelsea’s major shareholder. REG owns the American basketball team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Telegraph Sport understands that supporter groups involved in discussions with the Ricketts over the past fortnight had been under the impression that the family would take a controlling stake in Chelsea and that the suggestion they wouldn’t came as news to them.

The Ricketts are likely to need to clear up just how their proposed ownership would be made up and convince their critics that the claim somebody else would take a controlling stake is not an attempt to dilute some of the criticism around them.

A Chelsea Supporters’ Trust survey revealed that 72 per cent of their members did not have confidence the Ricketts would run an inclusive and successful club, while 77 per cent said they did not support the family’s bid to buy Chelsea.

In his statement in response, Tom Ricketts said: “We look forward to more meetings – including with the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust – over the coming days and to making a public reiteration of our values and commitments.”