The Story Behind The 'Pizzagate' Scandal At Old Trafford: 15 Years On

On a cloudy afternoon in October, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was slapped around the face with a slice of pizza in an incident labelled the 'Pizzagate' scandal.

Here's some context. Arsene Wenger's unstoppable Arsenal side travelled to Old Trafford with a 49-match unbeaten run under their belt. It was one of the biggest games in Premier League history as the Gunners looked to make it 50.

Despite their efforts, goals from Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy ended Arsenal's unbeaten run and sh*t hit the fan shortly after the full-time whistle.

Both sides proceeded to clash in the tunnel, with many tales being told after the game, including the story that Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas slapped Sir Alex around the face with a slice of Pizza.

In years gone by, the 77-year-old has previously stated that Fabregas might have been the culprit, saying in his autobiography:

"They say it was Cesc Fabregas who threw the pizza at me but, to this day, I have no idea who the culprit is.

"The next thing I knew I had pizza all over me. We put food into the away dressing room after every game.

"Pizza, chicken. Most clubs do it. Arsenal's food was the best. They say it was Cesc Fabregas who threw the pizza at me but to this day, I have no idea who the culprit was."

Image: Twitter

But 13 years after that fateful day in Manchester, the truth was finally out. Cesc Fabregas did throw a pizza at the legendary boss.

Appearing on Sky One show 'A League Of Their Own', the former Arsenal midfielder apologised to Sir Alex for his Pizza antics, firstly saying "yes" it was him.

Here's the moment Fabregas spilled the beans. Classic.

The Spanish midfielder, who now plays for AS Monaco, explained the details of the 'Pizzagate' tale, saying:

"Martin Keown is a liar because I saw him in front of me just, like, punching people so he didn't see anything.

"All of a sudden, I heard noises and I thought what's happening? So I go out with my slice of pizza and I saw Sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Martin Keown... everyone pushing each other.

"I was like I want to get in but I don't know how to and I threw... peeew... just threw it. Once I saw it was hitting, like, who it was hitting, which I didn't mean.

"I apologise Sir Alex, really didn't mean to do that."

Shortly after admitting his role in the Pizzagate, Jamie Redknapp asked where the pizza hit Sir Alex Ferguson.

He tapped the side of his face and laughed.

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Arsenal

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_