London stadium gets Jackson statue

LONDON, April 3 (UPI) -- London soccer club owner Mohamed al-Fayed has erected a statue of Michael Jackson outside his stadium, and doesn't care who likes it.

Fayed, father of Princess Diana's late boyfriend Dodi Fayed, told Sky News, "Football fans love it. If some stupid fans don't understand and appreciate such a gift they can go to hell."

"People will queue to come and visit it from all over the U.K. and it is something that I and everybody else should be proud of," he added.

Fayed unveiled the statue of the late pop star outside Craven Cottage stadium in London before his Fulham Football Club's Premier League match against Blackpool Sunday.

He had tried to put the statue outside Harrods department store, which he once owned, but was denied permission.

Fayed invited Jackson to watch a Fulham match in 1999.