MJ Statue Stirs Soccer Crowd


There's some controversy at London's Craven Cottage Stadium. It deals with a dead American Singer and a filthy rich businessman from Egypt.

Mohamed Al Fayed unveiled a statue of Michael Jackson, today, at Craven Cottage in West London. This was immediately prior to the Fulham Football Club's match against Blackpool.  Al Fayed claims to have been a friend of the King Of Pop.  Jackson is said to have attended a match, there, in 1999.

The statue was commissioned following Jackson's death in June 2009 and was due to be erected at Harrods before Mr Al Fayed sold the Knightsbridge store.  Many fans say that a (their) football stadium is the wrong place for such a statue.

Here is a collection of quotes on the subject, from Mr. Al Fayed:

"Why is it bizarre? Football fans love it..."

'Stupid fans'


"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..."

You may remember that Al Fayed's oldest son, Dodi died in a car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris along with his companion Diana, Princess of Wales and driver Henri Paul on 31 August 1997.
Personally, I am not a fan of Al Fayed or of Jackson. The statue will most likely become a curiousity rather than an attraction.  (It ain't a 'Mt. Rushmore!')

Why did I include the story? I find the passion of team owners and fans...well...fascinating.   Did I say passion?  I may have meant, "lack of tolerance."

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