Fulham relegated due to removal of 'lucky' Michael Jackson statue, claims ex-owner Mohamed Al Fayed
Courtesy of - By Neil McLeman http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/fulham-relegation-michael-jackson-statue-3504171#ixzz318F7SEL9
New owner Shahid Khan "has paid the price because the club has been relegated", according to the man who erected the statue
Mohamed Al Fayed has claimed Fulham are Premier League HIStory because they removed Michael Jackson’s statue from Craven Cottage.
The club’s former owner unveiled the controversial tribute to the King of Pop in April 2011.
But new chairman Shahid Khan ordered its removal in September - and Fulham went down at the weekend after 13 seasons in the Premier League.
Al Fayed today presented the 7ft 6in Jackson sculpture to the National Football Museum in Manchester.
The Cottagers had three different managers this season - and allowed Rene Meulensteen to spend in the January transfer window just before sacking him.
But the former Harrods owner, now 85, claimed Fulham would still be in the top flight if his Jackson tribute was still by the banks of the Thames.
“This statue was a charm and we removed the luck from the club and now we have to pay the price,” said the Egyptian.
“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’.
“It’s really upsetting. This was a lucky place. Fulham never go down. Now they are relegated. Now he’s crying.
"Michael Jackson had a charm, had a touch.”
Al Fayed was a friend of Jackson and the singer visited Craven Cottage to watch Fulham play Wigan in 1999.
The Egyptian’s 16-year reign saw the Cottagers go from the third tier back to the top flight and reach the Europa League final under Roy Hodgson in 2010.
Al Fayed claimed Magath should now be removed as coach - and offered to buy back the club for half the £150m he received last summer.
Magath today issued an open letter to fans apologising to fans for Fulham’s performance in the defeat to Stoke - and promised a summer clearout.
“During the summer months there most certainly will be many changes within the club,” said the German.
“We obviously need to improve and redefine our playing staff. We have in our academy team, talented, young and hungry players.
“I have experienced on many occasions, through working and developing youth team players, that they have the possibility to become top professionals.
"I name for example Philipp Lahm from Bayern Munich. Bearing this in mind and making additions to our squad, I feel very optimistic for the future.”
