Al Fayed lashes out at fans over Jackson statue

03 April 2011 14:00
Fulham chairman Mohammed Al Fayed has told fans they can "go to hell" if they do not appreciate the new Michael Jackson statue at Craven Cottage. Al Fayed, a close friend of the late performer, has caused controversy after announcing he had decided to place the tribute to Jackson outside the Cottagers' stadium. The statue was commissioned following Jackson's death in June 2009 and was due to be erected at Harrods before Al Fayed sold the Knightsbridge store. The decision to relocate it to Craven Cottage is likely to divide opinion, with statues at football grounds generally reserved for club legends. "Why is it bizarre?," he said after the 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." He added: "People will queue to come and visit it from all over the UK and it is something that I and everybody else should be proud of."

Source: PA