Former Premier League referee Mike Dean has thrown fresh fuel on the fire of Wayne Rooney's long-standing conspiracy theory regarding Manchester City's unforgettable 2012 title victory.
The Agony and the Ecstasy
The final day of the 2011/12 Premier League season remains one of the most dramatic in English football history. Manchester United, having beaten Sunderland, were waiting on the pitch expecting to be crowned champions. Meanwhile, at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City needed a win against Queens Park Rangers to snatch the title.
In a stunning twist, City scored two stoppage-time goals, with Sergio Aguero's iconic strike in the 94th minute wrenching the trophy from United's grasp. Dean, who was the match official for that historic game, has now shared details that he admits were "strange".
Dean's Baffling Revelation
Speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate alongside Rooney, Dean revealed his confusion at QPR's actions after City made it 2-2. "What was strange about it... once QPR found out they were safe, Jamie Mackie was on the pitch celebrating while the game was going on," Dean recalled.
He then highlighted the moment that still puzzles him. "They make it 2-2 and they just kick it back, and we were like, 'what's going on, why are they giving the ball back straightaway?' I said [that] in the earpiece. It was a strange one. To kick off and give the ball straight back to them."
Dean confirmed that fourth official Neil Swarbrick sensed something was imminent, telling him to "Keep switched on, something is going to happen." Despite this foresight, Dean admitted, "I still can't get my head around why they kicked the ball straight back. I just couldn't... I don't know."
Rooney's Persistent Suspicions
Rooney, who was present for Dean's revelation, has voiced his scepticism about the match on multiple occasions. He previously described the events as "strange" and said they "don't sit right" with him.
This year, United's all-time leading scorer specifically questioned QPR's composition and conduct. "They had loads of ex-City and Liverpool players in the team," Rooney noted, referencing Joey Barton's red card and players like Shaun Wright-Phillips and Nedum Onuoha. He also cited former QPR striker Djibril Cisse, who allegedly celebrated with City afterwards.
However, Cisse has since hit back at these claims, stating he was merely celebrating with his friend Samir Nasri and that QPR fought hard to stay in the league. Similarly, Barton has dismissed Rooney's theories as "untrue."
Despite these rebuttals, Dean's unprecedented comments have given new life to one of English football's most enduring debates, leaving fans to wonder what truly unfolded on that fateful day in May 2012.
