Pop Star's Statue Leaves English Soccer Fans Confused and Angry

The unveiling of a statue of musician Michael Jackson outside a soccer stadium in England has confused and angered some fans.

1 minute read

April 7, 2011, 10:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


They don't see the connection between the deceased musician and the stadium, home to London's Fulham club.

"When journalists suggested that some fan groups do not regard Jackson as an appropriate fixture outside the stadium that to some is a second home, Fayed retorted: 'If some stupid fans don't understand or appreciate such a gift, they can go to hell. I don't want them to be fans. If they don't believe in things I believe in, they can go to Chelsea, go anywhere else.' There lies the crux of this whole ownership thing.

Does Fayed have any more right to do what he believes in than the supporters? Many were there before him, and will be there after he is gone.

Soccer in England is family, and countless Fulham folk are fans of the club because their fathers, and their fathers' fathers, belonged."

Tuesday, April 5, 2011 in The New York Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Wastewater pouring out from a pipe.

Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage

Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”

April 13, 2025 - Inside Climate News

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 10, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Streetcar and bus stopped at station on Market Street in San Francisco with Ferry Building visible in background.

Waymo Gets Permission to Map SF’s Market Street

If allowed to operate on the traffic-restricted street, Waymo’s autonomous taxis would have a leg up over ride-hailing competitors — and counter the city’s efforts to grow bike and pedestrian on the thoroughfare.

30 minutes ago - San Francisco Examiner

Parklet with wooden benches and flower boxes on street in Ireland.

Parklet Symposium Highlights the Success of Shared Spaces

Parklets got a boost during the Covid-19 pandemic, when the concept was translated to outdoor dining programs that offered restaurants a lifeline during the shutdown.

1 hour ago - Streetsblog San Francisco

Bronze statue of homeless man (Jesus) with head down and arm outstretched in front of St. Matthew Cathedral in Washington D.C.

Federal Homelessness Agency Places Entire Staff on Leave

The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is the only federal agency dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness.

2 hours ago - The New York Times