Manchester United vs Arsenal has always been an affair where emotions run high and stakes are big given their history of being one of the fiercest rivals of world football.
As we get ready to experience yet another episode of this mouth-watering clash when Manchester United host Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, here’s a throwback at one of the most bizarre incidents of this rivalry that culminated into a slice of pizza being thrown at legendary Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. The culprit? Read on...
In the first decade of the 21st Century, the two teams were in rich form and featured the best players in the league. This particular incident occurred when Arsenal travelled to Manchester to play a league match on October 24, 2004.
Arsene Wenger’s men were on an unbeaten streak of 49 games in the league (a record. that stands to this day), having won the competition in the previous season without losing a single match.
The Red Devils succeeded in finishing the unbeaten run of the Gunners, courtesy of Wayne Rooney’s brace which included a penalty that he had earned after Sol Campbell fouled him inside the box.
The Gunners and their fans were not too happy with the result and claimed the penalty that gave United the lead was mistakenly awarded.
The dissatisfaction culminated in a scuffle in the tunnel between the two teams after full time and apparently, a pizza was thrown at then Sir Alex Ferguson.
While the incident caused a lot of controversies, the British press took quite a liking and called it various names including “Pizzagate” after the Watergate scandal involving former US President Richard Nixon, and “Battle of the Buffet”.
The offender, though, remained tightlipped for quite a few years before finally revealing himself after more than a decade.
Spanish footballer Cesc Fabregas admitted to the ghastly deed in 2017 on a talk show on Sky Sports and apologized to Sir Alex, insisting it was an accident and he did not aim for the legendary manager.
The midfielder, who was only a teenager then, had revealed his side of the story in interviews since then.
“The way it happened we felt a little cheated you know because we didn't deserve to lose to that game we were upset and there was a little bit of a fight,” the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder told BEin Sports.
“When you have thirty players going into the dressing room, it's a little bit tight there was a little pushing around and a small fight. Because I didn't play I was one of the first players to go into the tunnel and I just saw a pizza because I was hungry."
“I started hearing shouts and I went out and saw Rio Ferdinand all the big boys Thierry, and Sol Campbell going together, getting into a fight."
“When you are young and I was a little like this, I just didn't know what to do as I was so small and skinny and to be honest I didn't aim at anyone, but Man United were on one side so I just did it because there was nothing I could do because the tunnel was full of big guys having an argument."
“I found out later it touched Mr. Ferguson and I apologized already publicly and I'll do it again," he said. "It wasn't intentional it was a moment that just happens."
So the next time someone goes, "Who can say no to pizza?" You know the answer.
