Al-Fayed: "Removal of Michael Jackson's statue caused Fulham's relegation"

Michael Jackson’s statue which used to be outside the Fulham stadium

Former owner of Fulham, Mohammad Al-Fayed has stated that the removal of Michael Jackson’s statue from the Craven Cottage has been the main reason behind Fulham’s relegation this season.

Fayed, who was a friend of Jackson, installed the statue at the back of the Hammerstand in 2011. But his successor, Shahid Khan, removed the figurine last September.

Fayed said,”This statue was a charm and we removed the luck from the club and now we have to pay the price.”

“When [Khan] asked me to move it, I said: “You must be crazy. This is such a fantastic statue which the fans are crying out for. But now he has paid the price because the club has been relegated. He called me because he told me he wanted Michael to return. I told him, no way.”

Michael Jackson had visited the Craven Cottage back in 1999 when Fulham played a match against Wigan Athletic.

The 7 ft 6 inches sculpture was presented to the National Football Museum in Manchester by Fayed after it was taken down.

Speaking about its presentation to the museum, Fayed said: “Michael is a fantastic example for everyone. He came from nowhere and showed fantastic determination to be a superstar and I am very glad that he is now in this great institution for people to enjoy.”

Mohamed Al-Fayed “The reason Fulham went down is the removal of the lucky Michael Jackson statue.” Not the statuesque defending then?

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) May 6, 2014