Businessman and former Fulham owner Mohamed Al-Fayed has died at the age of 94.
The Egypt-born entrepreneur was father to Dodi Al-Fayed, who died in a car crash with his girlfriend Princess Diana 26 years ago yesterday. The trio were depicted in the most recent season of Netflix's epic royal drama The Crown.
Among his many business interests were the world-famous Harrods department store in London and the Ritz Hotel Paris.
In 1997 he purchased Fulham FC and set out plans to achieve promotion to the Premier League in five years, a feat he helped achieve one year ahead of his aim.
During his tenure the Cottagers remained in the Premier League and even competed in Europe, but in 2013 he decided to sell the club to Pakistani-American businessman Shahid Khan.
A statement issued by his family tonight said: "Mrs Mohamed Al Fayed, her children and grandchildren wish to confirm that her beloved husband, their father and their grandfather, Mohamed, has passed away peacefully of old age on Wednesday August 30, 2023.
"He enjoyed a long and fulfilled retirement surrounded by his loved ones. The family have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time."
Fulham said: "Everyone at Fulham was incredibly saddened to learn of the death of our former Owner and Chairman, Mohamed Al Fayed.
"We owe Mohamed a debt of gratitude for what he did for our Club, and our thoughts now are with his family and friends at this sombre time."
Al-Fayed is survived by wife Heini and their four children.
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