New Fulham owner told to keep Michael Jackson statue or risk losing his moustache
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Mohamed Al-Fayed has threatened new Fulham owner Shahid Khan that he would be in "big trouble" if he tries to remove the infamous Michael Jackson statue outside Craven Cottage.
Al-Fayed completed the sale of the London club on Friday after 16 years as owner - a period during which they rose from the lower leagues to become an established Premier League outfit.
The Egyptian businessman was largely admired during his time at the club, but he was widely ridiculed after erecting a statue of the King of Pop in 2011 as an out of place tribute to the late singer.
The statue has caused controversy among some fans as Jackson only visited the stadium once, in 1999.
Now that Al-Fayed is out, might the statue be removed?
"I have been the owner less than a day," Khan told the media at Craven Cottage.
"We have to preserve and respect history but we also have to move forward. I am going to reflect on it, listen to the fans and then decide."
For Al-Fayed, though, there is no negotiation.
The 84-year-old said: "The Michael Jackson statue is listed with the club and if he dares to move it, he will be in big trouble.
"You listening to me? You promise now - otherwise I will come in front of all the fans with a big razor and I will take your moustache off."
The moustache has been Khan's trademark since 1972 as he built his fortune in the automotive industry after moving to the USA from Pakistan.
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| Then Fulham chairman Mohamed Al-Fayed unveils a statue of pop legend Michael Jackson in 2011 Photo: Getty Images |
Al-Fayed completed the sale of the London club on Friday after 16 years as owner - a period during which they rose from the lower leagues to become an established Premier League outfit.
The Egyptian businessman was largely admired during his time at the club, but he was widely ridiculed after erecting a statue of the King of Pop in 2011 as an out of place tribute to the late singer.
The statue has caused controversy among some fans as Jackson only visited the stadium once, in 1999.
Now that Al-Fayed is out, might the statue be removed?
"I have been the owner less than a day," Khan told the media at Craven Cottage.
"We have to preserve and respect history but we also have to move forward. I am going to reflect on it, listen to the fans and then decide."
For Al-Fayed, though, there is no negotiation.
The 84-year-old said: "The Michael Jackson statue is listed with the club and if he dares to move it, he will be in big trouble.
"You listening to me? You promise now - otherwise I will come in front of all the fans with a big razor and I will take your moustache off."
The moustache has been Khan's trademark since 1972 as he built his fortune in the automotive industry after moving to the USA from Pakistan.
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