The Michael Jackson statue outside Craven Cottage - home to the Fulham Football Club - will be removed from grounds and returned to former Fulham FC owner Mohamed Al Fayed. The statue was commissioned shortly after the King of Pop died suddenly in 2009 by Al Fayed who was a friend and fan of Jackson's. However, despite universal love for the Smooth Criminal, fans of the soccer team showed disapproval of the statue because - ironically enough - it was put on a site that had absolutely nothing to do with Michael Jackson. Fans insisted that Craven Cottage tributes should be reserved exclusively for Fulham soccer players and other notable figures within the team's history (Jackson had only attended one game and that was in 1999.) According to The Telegraph, Al Fayed not only stood by his decision but also felt it was necessary to put naysayers in their place:
"Why is it bizarre?," he said at its unveiling. "Football fans love it. If some stupid fans don't understand and appreciate such a gift they can go to hell. I don't want them to be fans. If they don't understand and don't believe in things I believe in they can go to Chelsea, they can go to anywhere else.I don't want them to be fans. If they don't understand and don't believe in things I believe in they can go to Chelsea, they can go to anywhere else."
You read that right - Al Fayed is such a big supporter of Michael Jackson that he urges side eyers to route for the rival team. Thankfully, he quickly became irrelevant as new Fulham chairman Shahid Khan listened to the fans and called for its removal. Al Fayed will be given back the statue and will reportedly put it on display in front of one of his many properties.
spotted at BB
