Fulham chairman Mohammed Al Fayed honored Michael Jackson by unveilving a statue of the "King of Pop" outside Craven Cottage on Sunday, and made it clear that those who opposed his move should "go to hell."
Following scrutiny from local fans, Al Fayed launched a "passionate defense" in support of his friendship with Jackson, according to an Associated Press report.
"Why is it bizarre?" he said. "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."
Al Fayed remains confident the statue will be a major attraction in his country.
"People will queue to come and visit it [the statue] from all over Britain," he added, "and it is something that I and everybody else should be proud of."
Apparently, Al Fayed and Jackson were "close pals" before the superstar's death, and the chairman hosted the singer as a special guest to a match in 1999.
The statue depicts Jackson in a silver military jacket, tight black pants with stripes, silver beads and his signature single glove.
See the statue below.
