Statue of Michael Jackson (Fulham F.C.)

The Statue of Michael Jackson (Fulham F.C.) was a monument commissioned by Mohamed Al-Fayed, then chairman of Fulham Football Club, depicting the American pop singer Michael Jackson. It was unveiled at Fulham's Craven Cottage stadium on April 3, 2011.

Al-Fayed stated that he had commissioned the statue because Jackson was a friend and a Fulham fan. He recounted a story of Jackson attending a Fulham match with him. However, the statue's presence was controversial, with many Fulham fans questioning its relevance to the club and its history. Criticism focused on the perceived lack of connection between Jackson and Fulham F.C., especially given that Jackson's alleged support was anecdotal and unsubstantiated by public record.

Following Fulham's relegation from the Premier League in 2014, Al-Fayed sold the club to Shahid Khan. Khan subsequently ordered the removal of the statue, which occurred in November 2014. Khan stated that the statue did not represent the club and that he wanted to focus on the football aspects of Fulham.

The statue was later relocated to the National Football Museum in Manchester, England, where it remains part of their collection. Its presence there allows for broader discussion of the relationship between celebrity, football, and club identity. The statue continues to be a topic of discussion regarding the ownership of football clubs, the influence of owners' personal preferences, and the fans' perceptions of club identity.