Michael Jackson statue leaves Fulham

Fulham Football Club in England is preparing to say goodbye to a Michael Jackson statue after two years.

The statue was brought to the Craven Cottage stadium by Mohamed Al-Fayed, Michael’s friend and owner of Fulham, in the spring of 2011. The statue’s likeness was criticized, and people complained about how it didn’t resemble the King of Pop—even the clothes it wore. Others considered the statue a source of mockery for the club. Although Al-Fayed said Michael was a fan of Fulham, these people announced that there was no connection between football and Michael Jackson. But Al-Fayed’s response to critics was firm: “Go to hell!” (Read more)

Mark Hughes, Fulham’s coach, who had said he was a fan of Michael, also supported Al-Fayed’s decision and said:

“Sir, you’ve supported the club for a long time and invested 200 million dollars in it. If he wants to do something like this for someone he has had a friendship with—who am I to object? He wants people to understand the respect and affection he has for Michael Jackson. Of course, since Fulham is a football club, there will be objections. But we shouldn’t question the reason behind our manager’s behavior.”

In 1997, Al-Fayed bought Fulham, which was struggling with problems, for 6 million pounds and saved it. That same year, he lost his son Dodi in a car accident. Dodi was a friend of Princess Diana, and their car was smashed in a crash while fleeing from reporters. Al-Fayed and Michael both mourned—Al-Fayed for his son, and Michael for Diana.

Two years later, in April 1999, Michael, in the guise of Al-Fayed’s special guest, stepped onto the grass at Craven Cottage and watched Fulham’s 2–0 victory over Wigan alongside him.

After Michael’s death, Al-Fayed said: “The word ‘legend’ is an exaggerated term used in today’s world to describe celebrities, but Michael Jackson was truly a legend. He was my friend. A man with whom I had good memories—and a man who left the world suddenly, in a sorrowful way.”

Installing the statue was not only a tribute to his long-standing friendship with the King of Pop, but also a celebration of this great legend.

Now 84-year-old Mohamed Al-Fayed is retired and needs to spend more time with his family. Having done a great deal for Fulham, this July he sold the club for 150 million pounds to Pakistani billionaire Shahid Khan, 62.

At a press conference held at Craven Cottage about this matter, reporters asked Shahid Khan about the fate of the controversial Michael Jackson statue. Shahid Khan replied:

“I have to respect history and try to preserve it. I will think carefully about this statue.”

He also said that the club should move forward, and his goal is to renovate and improve the club. He explained that after hearing the club’s fans’ comments about the statue, he would make a decision.

Standing next to the club’s manager with a fake mustache, Al-Fayed said he was pleased with the transfer of responsibility of the club to Shahid Khan, but he couldn’t keep his feelings to himself. He said:

“The Michael Jackson statue is registered as part of the club’s assets, and if he (Khan) dares to take it, he’ll run into a big problem.” Then he warned Khan: “Are your ears listening to me? Promise me. And if not, I’ll take a big pair of scissors and cut off your mustache in front of everyone.”

But it turned out Al-Fayed’s threat didn’t work, because today it was reported that Shahid Khan has ordered the removal of this statue from Craven Cottage. Fulham fans were fed up with having an object unrelated to football on their pitch—even if it is the statue of the King of Pop.

Fulham FC announced that the presence of this statue conflicts with the stadium renovation plan and that it is not among the club’s assets.

In this regard, Shahid Khan said: “The fans’ view on the statue is clear. I respect Mr. Al-Fayed and I know he had good intentions in installing this personal memorial in the club. But removing this statue is the right decision for Fulham Football Club.”

The statue will be sent back to its owner, Mohamed Al-Fayed—and it’s better that it finds its safe home away from insulting and humiliating Fulham fans.

Source: eMJey.com / BBC