Al Fayed scotches takeover talk

Fulham chairman and owner Mohamed Al Fayed has quashed rumours of a club takeover and insists he remains committed to the Cottagers.

Al Fayed was reportedly interested in selling the club to businessman John Wallis, a lifelong Fulham fan, but Wallis’ company Casino Fortune claim they were looking into sponsoring, rather than buying Fulham.

“My position remains clear since 1997, I have invested well over £130million in Fulham FC with the long-term aim of seeing the club established amongst the world’s very best.

“I am as committed to that dream as I have always been. This club is not for sale, period.”

Cottagers boss Chris Coleman said earlier today he was convinced Al Fayed planned to remain in charge of the club.

He said: “I spoke to the chairman this morning and he was as enthusiastic as

he ever was.

“The guy John Wallis was there on Saturday and I understand there have been talks about marketing but there is no truth in the story he wants to buy Fulham.

“The chairman was delighted by the result on Saturday (a 2-0 win over Liverpool) and I know he holds Fulham Football Club dear to his heart.

“He has done well in the last eight or nine years to get us to where we are and I can’t see him letting someone else come in and take it forward because we can do that.

“I am totally convinced it won’t happen. I can only go on what I’m told and my gut feeling but I would be amazed if the chairman was to sell the club, certainly now anyway.

“I speak with him all the time and he has as much enthusiasm now as he ever had. In football there are always stories but as far as I’m concerned there is no truth in the rumours.”