Six urban legends you thought were true about football but really they’re not

When it comes to the beautiful game, everyone’s an expert – or so they’d have you believe.

There have been countless events down the years in the Premier League and beyond, and everybody has their own take on them.

But just like everything in life, there’s more than the odd whopper floating about in football folklore.

In fact, some of the tales flying about out there are just downright wrong.

Here, Daily Star Sport attempts to diffuse six of the most prominent urban legends in football, including a dodgy lasagne, a horror tackle and an international snub that never took place…

Wenger didn’t stand down at Arsenal

Although some fans had grown fed up with the legendary Frenchman, it was a sad day for everyone associated with Arsenal when Arsene Wenger’s departure was announced back in 2018.

It was announced that the decision was a mutual one – but the man himself has confirmed that it was anything but mutual.

In the days after his departure was announced, Wenger’s frosty response hinted that not all was as it seemed. He said: “The timing was not my decision. The rest I have spoken about already.”

And ex-Arsenal star Jack Wilshere also later confirmed that Wenger was, in fact, given the boot.

He told Football Focus: “I was in the last year of my contract, and I spoke with the manager at the time, Arsene Wenger.

“And he said that they won’t be offering me a new deal and that I could leave.

“But at the time I was injured and it was difficult, because I wasn’t fit and I wasn’t playing, and not many teams wanted me injured.

“So I decided to stay and I got back into the team and they finally offered me a deal in January which was ready to sign, and then Arsene got sacked.

“It was strange, everyone was just shocked and Per Mertesacker, the captain, said a few words, and I think everyone was just in shock.”

Keane didn’t end Haaland’s career

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When you mention Roy Keane, one of the first things that immediately springs to mind is that tackle against Alf Inge-Haaland.

Keane’s crunching challenge left Haaland writhing in agony on the floor in one of the Norwegian’s final ever moments on the field of play.

But, contrary to belief, that tackle didn’t actually end the former Manchester City ace’s playing career.

While it certainly wouldn’t have helped, Haaland has revealed that he had ongoing issues with his left knee long before Keane clattered into his other one.

Law’s goal didn’t relegate Man Utd

You probably already know the story by now, but spare a thought for Denis Law.

The former Manchester United ace had gone years without a goal before finally netting against his old side during his Manchester City days.

And what’s more, it came on the very afternoon that United were relegated; leaving Law crushed.

“After 19 years of trying my hardest to score goals, here was one that I almost wished hadn’t actually gone in,” Denis Law said, “I was inconsolable. I didn’t want it to happen.”

But, Law’s goal didn’t actually relegate United.

Even if United had beaten City on the day, Birmingham City’s win over Norwich was enough to condemn the Red Devils to the dreaded drop.

Giggs didn’t snub England

Ryan Giggs was one of the Premier League’s brightest stars and was, undoubtedly, one of the best left wingers on the planet back in his heyday.

But for all the domestic success he enjoyed at Old Trafford, additional honors on the international stage alluded to him.

And he was even robbed of the opportunity to grace the World Cup due to how hopeless the Welsh national team were back when Giggs was at the peak of his powers.

But to quash a common theory, Giggs never snubbed England to turn out for Wales.

Despite captaining the England schoolboy’s team, Giggs would never have been eligible for the senior team as he was born in Cardiff to Welsh parents.

Beckham didn’t quit because of Fergie’s boot throw

David Beckham’s departure from Manchester United back in 2003 had been a long time coming – but he didn’t jet off to Spain just because Sir Alex Ferguson walloped a football boot into his face.

The infamous bust-up made headlines everywhere, with Beckham flaunting his wound in the aftermath of a fiery dressing room clash.

But in reality, the decision for Beckham to depart had already been decided on by both parties.

Beckham and Fergie had been embroiled in a bitter feud for a while and both were keen for the England star to leave Old Trafford behind.

So while Fergie’s pinpoint boot to the face may have nudged Beckham’s exit along ever so slightly, the incident wasn’t solely to blame for Beckham quitting the club.

Spurs’ Lasagne wasn’t poisoned

The infamous Lasange-gate scandal that cost Tottenham a Champions League spot in a final showdown with Arsenal back in the 2005/06 season is one of the biggest urban myths in football history.

With both sides vying for the coveted fourth spot on the final day, Spurs just needed to better Arsenal’s result to edge their bitter rivals out.

But on the eve of the match, a whole host of Tottenham players were struck down after eating a dodgy Lasagne.

Unsurprisingly, Spurs went on to lose against West Ham despite a brave effort. Arsenal ended up pinching the Champions League and Spurs were left feeling sick.

However, an investigation showed that there was no foul play or anything wrong with the Lasagne – and Tottenham had instead been struck down by an unfortunately timed virus.