Rumours have emerged that players from Queens Park Rangers may have received payments from a company linked to Abu Dhabi and Manchester City's ownership prior to their final Premier League match of the 2011/12 season.
The allegations centre around the famous encounter at the Etihad on May 13, 2012, where City clinched the title with a dramatic 3-2 victory over QPR, thanks to stoppage-time goals from Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero.
What’s being claimed
According to the circulating claims, these payments were allegedly intended to secure a victory for Manchester City, providing the vital three points in a match that was crucial for the championship race.
However, there is currently no verified evidence that QPR players received any money to intentionally throw the match. Recent publications describe this story as an unfounded theory resuscitated on the internet, rather than an established fact.
Why is this story resurfacing now?
New discussions have arisen in light of the independent committee's findings regarding Manchester City's financial breaches. Recent articles have refocused attention on the club's financial ties to Abu Dhabi.
Previous investigations into City have indeed included allegations of financial relationships with companies linked to club owner Sheikh Mansour. Specifically, leaks from Football Leaks and publications by Der Spiegel have been scrutinised by UEFA and led to subsequent legal proceedings.
However, the presence of such financial allegations does not in itself confirm the assertion of QPR players being bribed in the 2012 match.
What happened in the match
Manchester City initially took the lead, but QPR staged a remarkable turnaround, going ahead 2-1. Despite relentless pressure from the home side, City equalised in the 92nd minute through Dzeko.
Just moments later, Aguero scored the iconic goal in the 93rd minute to secure the title for Manchester City.
Thus, the claim of a pre-organised match-fixing contradicts a clear fact: QPR was leading the game 2-1 until the dying moments.
