NFL owner faces Michael Jackson controversy after Fulham purchase
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NFL owner faces Michael Jackson controversy after Fulham purchase
by Admin Sun Jul 14, 2013 5:53 pm
NFL owner faces Michael Jackson controversy after Fulham purchase By Simon Samano
July 14, 2013
Shad Khan couldn’t have seen this coming.
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan purchased English Premier League soccer club Fulham on Friday in a deal thought to be worth more than $200 million. He spent Saturday standing on Fulham’s pitch speaking to the London media, and you’d think questions surrounding the team or owning football teams in two countries would dominate.
Except apparently that wasn’t the case.
Now-former team owner Mohamed Al Fayed had a statue of Michael Jackson — yes, thee Michael Jackson — built outside of Fulham’s Craven Cottage Stadium after the “King of Pop” died in 2009. It’s very dear to him, as you can see.
The only problem is that the statue hasn’t been popular with the locals, many of whom want it removed from outside the stadium. And now that Al Fayed no longer owns the team, the burning question surrounds the future of the statue’s existence.
From The Associated Press:
Now that the Cottagers have been sold, might the statue be removed?
Khan hesitated.
“I’ve been an owner less than a day,” he said, searching for a diplomatic response. “We have to preserve and respect history, but we have to move forward. I’ll reflect on it and listen to the fans, then decide.”
There’s no decision to be made, according to Al Fayed.
“Michael Jackson will stay — it’s part of the deal,” the Egyptian said, before adding with Khan in ear-shot: “Are you listening to me about Michael Jackson? You promise now? Otherwise … I will take your moustache off.”
No way Khan can let that happen. Look at how glorious that thing is.
It’s settled, then. The statue stays. At least we hope so for the sake of that man-tastic mustache.
Michael Jackson would like that, too.
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Personal note: Mohamed Al Fayed YOU ROCK!
July 14, 2013
Shad Khan couldn’t have seen this coming.
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan purchased English Premier League soccer club Fulham on Friday in a deal thought to be worth more than $200 million. He spent Saturday standing on Fulham’s pitch speaking to the London media, and you’d think questions surrounding the team or owning football teams in two countries would dominate.
Except apparently that wasn’t the case.
Now-former team owner Mohamed Al Fayed had a statue of Michael Jackson — yes, thee Michael Jackson — built outside of Fulham’s Craven Cottage Stadium after the “King of Pop” died in 2009. It’s very dear to him, as you can see.
The only problem is that the statue hasn’t been popular with the locals, many of whom want it removed from outside the stadium. And now that Al Fayed no longer owns the team, the burning question surrounds the future of the statue’s existence.
From The Associated Press:
Now that the Cottagers have been sold, might the statue be removed?
Khan hesitated.
“I’ve been an owner less than a day,” he said, searching for a diplomatic response. “We have to preserve and respect history, but we have to move forward. I’ll reflect on it and listen to the fans, then decide.”
There’s no decision to be made, according to Al Fayed.
“Michael Jackson will stay — it’s part of the deal,” the Egyptian said, before adding with Khan in ear-shot: “Are you listening to me about Michael Jackson? You promise now? Otherwise … I will take your moustache off.”
No way Khan can let that happen. Look at how glorious that thing is.
It’s settled, then. The statue stays. At least we hope so for the sake of that man-tastic mustache.
Michael Jackson would like that, too.
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Personal note: Mohamed Al Fayed YOU ROCK!
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Re: NFL owner faces Michael Jackson controversy after Fulham purchase
by midangerous Sun Jul 14, 2013 6:07 pm
Yep, he rocks!!!!
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Fulham sends MJ statue to Fayed - against his wishes
by Admin Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:45 pm
Well they are sending the MJ statue back to Fayed. According to UK source.
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Re: NFL owner faces Michael Jackson controversy after Fulham purchase
by ijustcan'tstoplovinguMJ Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:47 pm
oh what a beautiful statue!
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A Statue Is Removed, and Fans Are Thrilled
by Admin Mon Sep 30, 2013 5:51 pm
A Statue Is Removed, and Fans Are Thrilled
By KEN BELSON
Since April 2011, a nearly eight-foot statue of Michael Jackson, stood facing the Thames, behind the home stands.
LONDON — For decades, Michael Jackson was known for his elaborate entrances and glittery stage shows. On Wednesday, the King of Pop was hauled away in air-bubble packaging by four burly stonemasons.
It was an unceremonious end to his nearly three-year run at Fulham’s stadium, Craven Cottage. After 90 minutes of chiseling, sawing and hacking, Jackson left the building, horizontally, on the back of a truck.
He will not be missed by Fulham fans. Since April 2011, a nearly eight-foot statue of Jackson, made of Jesmonite, stood facing the Thames, behind the home stands. A large sign that read “Michael Jackson the Tribute” hung next to Jackson, who stood atop black granite with a sequined jacket, an ammunition belt and a glove on his right hand.
His presence was incongruous in the extreme. Mohamed al-Fayed, the team’s eccentric former owner, who called Jackson a friend, had the statue built even though Jackson seemed to care little about soccer and attended only one Fulham match.
Fulham’s fans were happy with Fayed, who spent lavishly to lift the club’s fortunes. They helped pay for a tasteful and far more expensive bronze statue of Johnny Haynes, perhaps the team’s greatest player, which stands at the other end of the stadium.
While Jackson’s fans traveled from far and wide to pay their respects, in the masculine world of English soccer, the homage to Jackson was considered a joke.
“It’s rubbish,” said Andy Hunt, a longtime fan who stood near the statue before Tuesday’s League Cup game against Everton, drinking beer with his friend, Malcolm Apted. “I don’t object to the person. If it was in bronze, maybe. But it’s tacky.”
Fayed — who bought Fulham in 1997, a few months before his son, Dodi, died in a car crash with Diana, Princess of Wales — was unrepentant. When asked in 2011 about whether a statue of Jackson made sense at the fabled stadium, he said, “If some stupid fans don’t understand or appreciate such a gift, they can go to hell.” For good measure, he invited these unbelievers to root for Chelsea, Fulham’s archrival, which plays two subway stops away.
Fayed got his way until he sold Fulham in July to Shahid Khan, the billionaire owner of the N.F.L.’s Jacksonville Jaguars. At the news conference announcing the deal, Fayed threatened to cut off Khan’s signature handlebar mustache if the statue were removed.
Two months later, Khan made perhaps the most important decision of his young tenure as owner: Michael Jackson would go. “Our supporters’ views on the statue have been made clear,” he said in a statement last week. Removing the statue, he said, was “the right thing for Fulham Football Club.”
The decision won Khan instant credibility with fans who were otherwise unhappy with the team’s slow start this season.
For now, the statue of Jackson will remain in a warehouse while Fayed decides its fate.
Martin Jol, Fulham’s manager, is considering bidding for the statue and either auctioning it for charity or adding it to his art collection, which includes nearly two dozen other statues and several hundred paintings.
“It would be nice to keep it in the Fulham family, if he wants,” Jol said, referring to Fayed.
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By KEN BELSON
Since April 2011, a nearly eight-foot statue of Michael Jackson, stood facing the Thames, behind the home stands.
LONDON — For decades, Michael Jackson was known for his elaborate entrances and glittery stage shows. On Wednesday, the King of Pop was hauled away in air-bubble packaging by four burly stonemasons.
It was an unceremonious end to his nearly three-year run at Fulham’s stadium, Craven Cottage. After 90 minutes of chiseling, sawing and hacking, Jackson left the building, horizontally, on the back of a truck.
He will not be missed by Fulham fans. Since April 2011, a nearly eight-foot statue of Jackson, made of Jesmonite, stood facing the Thames, behind the home stands. A large sign that read “Michael Jackson the Tribute” hung next to Jackson, who stood atop black granite with a sequined jacket, an ammunition belt and a glove on his right hand.
His presence was incongruous in the extreme. Mohamed al-Fayed, the team’s eccentric former owner, who called Jackson a friend, had the statue built even though Jackson seemed to care little about soccer and attended only one Fulham match.
Fulham’s fans were happy with Fayed, who spent lavishly to lift the club’s fortunes. They helped pay for a tasteful and far more expensive bronze statue of Johnny Haynes, perhaps the team’s greatest player, which stands at the other end of the stadium.
While Jackson’s fans traveled from far and wide to pay their respects, in the masculine world of English soccer, the homage to Jackson was considered a joke.
“It’s rubbish,” said Andy Hunt, a longtime fan who stood near the statue before Tuesday’s League Cup game against Everton, drinking beer with his friend, Malcolm Apted. “I don’t object to the person. If it was in bronze, maybe. But it’s tacky.”
Fayed — who bought Fulham in 1997, a few months before his son, Dodi, died in a car crash with Diana, Princess of Wales — was unrepentant. When asked in 2011 about whether a statue of Jackson made sense at the fabled stadium, he said, “If some stupid fans don’t understand or appreciate such a gift, they can go to hell.” For good measure, he invited these unbelievers to root for Chelsea, Fulham’s archrival, which plays two subway stops away.
Fayed got his way until he sold Fulham in July to Shahid Khan, the billionaire owner of the N.F.L.’s Jacksonville Jaguars. At the news conference announcing the deal, Fayed threatened to cut off Khan’s signature handlebar mustache if the statue were removed.
Two months later, Khan made perhaps the most important decision of his young tenure as owner: Michael Jackson would go. “Our supporters’ views on the statue have been made clear,” he said in a statement last week. Removing the statue, he said, was “the right thing for Fulham Football Club.”
The decision won Khan instant credibility with fans who were otherwise unhappy with the team’s slow start this season.
For now, the statue of Jackson will remain in a warehouse while Fayed decides its fate.
Martin Jol, Fulham’s manager, is considering bidding for the statue and either auctioning it for charity or adding it to his art collection, which includes nearly two dozen other statues and several hundred paintings.
“It would be nice to keep it in the Fulham family, if he wants,” Jol said, referring to Fayed.
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Re: NFL owner faces Michael Jackson controversy after Fulham purchase
by ijustcan'tstoplovinguMJ Mon Sep 30, 2013 6:15 pm
aww well thats kinda sad 
i'm really not understanding why those ppl didn't like it. its a great statue. i think.
i'm really not understanding why those ppl didn't like it. its a great statue. i think.
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Re: NFL owner faces Michael Jackson controversy after Fulham purchase
by Capricious Anomaly Mon Sep 30, 2013 6:17 pm
Such a terrific statue! Those people at that university are ingrates. Fayed left the statue there where MJ had given his permission and if memory serves he even WENT there to meet everyone and thank them. Oh well-their loss. Who wants it there anyway? They don't deserve it! They need to put it in a public park for all people to see and enjoy!
Some people just do not get it.
Some people just do not get it.
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