Former Queens Park Rangers striker Djibril Cissé has hit back fiercely at Wayne Rooney after the Manchester United legend accused QPR of “rolling over” for Manchester City during the unforgettable 2012 Premier League title decider. The dramatic final day of the season, which saw Sergio Agüero’s last-gasp winner seal City’s first Premier League crown in 44 years, remains one of the most iconic moments in football history — but apparently, it’s still stirring controversy over a decade later.
Rooney reignited the debate this week by suggesting that QPR’s attitude in the closing minutes of that fateful match “didn’t feel right.” In an interview, the former United captain remarked: “It’s strange. QPR kicked the ball straight back to City after their second goal, and Cissé was celebrating with City players. It just doesn’t sit right.” His comments quickly went viral, prompting mixed reactions from fans, pundits, and players who lived through that unforgettable afternoon.
However, Djibril Cissé was quick to set the record straight — and he didn’t hold back. The former French international, who scored one of QPR’s goals in that 3–2 defeat, fired back in frustration, calling Rooney’s claims “ridiculous” and “disrespectful.” Speaking to reporters, Cissé explained: “I was celebrating with Samir Nasri, my friend of 15 years. I didn’t care about Man City. I was just happy for him — and relieved that we stayed up. That was all that mattered to me.”
Cissé went on to defend his team’s integrity, reminding fans that QPR were fighting for their own survival, not trying to influence the title race. “If we wanted City to win, we would’ve let them score four or five goals,” he said firmly. “But we didn’t. We fought hard, and we had a strong team out there. It wasn’t our fault United lost the title — they dropped points all season. We did our job, and we stayed up. End of story.”
The French striker’s comments have sparked renewed discussion about that day’s chaotic finale. With QPR already safe due to results elsewhere, some observers claimed the team’s intensity dropped in the dying minutes, allowing City to complete their extraordinary comeback. Yet, others argue that QPR’s defensive efforts earlier in the match proved their professionalism, with the likes of Jamie Mackie and Clint Hill giving everything until the end.
Rooney’s remarks have not gone down well among former QPR players and fans, who believe the accusation undermines one of the most dramatic endings in football history. Many have pointed out that United had multiple opportunities to secure the title before the final day and that their own inconsistencies ultimately cost them.
For Cissé, though, the issue is personal. Having built a reputation as a passionate and competitive player, he was clearly frustrated by the implication that he or his teammates lacked integrity. “We played our game. We lost to a great side, but we left everything on the pitch,” he emphasized. “People can say what they want, but we know the truth.”
As memories of that iconic day continue to resurface, it’s clear that emotions still run high — even thirteen years later. While Wayne Rooney’s comments have reopened old wounds, Djibril Cissé’s fiery defense is a reminder that for QPR players, survival was the only thing that mattered that afternoon — not Manchester City’s glory or Manchester United’s heartbreak.
