Chelsea have undertaken a number of different anti-racism and antisemitism initiatives, and last year launched the No To Hate campaign against racism, antisemitism or any form of discrimination.
In June last year, Chelsea renamed the Centenary Hall in the Shed End of Stamford Bridge the Paul Canoville Suite, which Tom Ricketts was shown around.
The Canoville Foundation was launched in 2015 to work with schools and youth organisations to promote diversity through workshops and sporting activities.
“I don’t know if I will work with the next Chelsea owners or whether or not my voice will count, but, of course, I’d like to help them if I’m called upon,” said Canoville. “I’ve said my piece and I just hope whoever wins looks into that. I’ll keep doing my work, whatever happens.”
Chelsea’s shortlisted bidders have until Thursday to submit their legally-binding, improved offers before a preferred buyer is eventually put forward for the approval of the UK Government.
“Each of the three bidders listened, they had done their research and they knew my story,” said Canoville. “But it wouldn’t be fair for me to give my opinion on all of the bidders or to give my support to just one of them. I want to trust the club to make the best decision.”
Canoville’s initial meeting with Ricketts caused controversy and also resulted in the 60 year-old receiving racist abuse on social media, before the majority of online supporters leapt to his defence and offered support.
“I took some flak about that meeting,” said Canoville. “But what’s the problem with talking to somebody after I had been asked by the chairman on behalf of Raine? It gave me my opportunity to say my piece and that’s exactly what I did.
“Since then, I’ve been given the chance to do the same with two more of the bidders. Everybody connected with Chelsea knows my story and knows that racism is still a fact of life and football, so to have that thrown at me by a few ignorant people didn’t affect or stop me. It just made me even more determined and shows there is more work to be done.”
Canoville believes it is positive that the groups bidding for Chelsea, apart from Pagliuca, are engaging with people like himself and the club’s supporters.
“It’s good the bidders have come over and spoken with not just the club or myself, but the Supporters’ Trust, other members of the fan-base and to know that we know where they are coming from and them knowing how we feel about our club. That’s what should be happening and, hopefully, it will ensure that the club and the supporters can move forwards together.”
