Manchester City being found guilty of fuelling an era of glittering Premier League success via a network of sponsorship deals, found by an independent commission to be a "sham," has shaken the world of sport. But it isn't the first time. BBC Sport looks back on nine more sporting scandals, stretching back more than a century.
Lance Armstrong had spent years vehemently insisting that he had won all seven of his Tour de France titles between 1999 and 2005 without the help of performance-enhancing drugs. His story was remarkable—he survived testicular cancer and returned to dominate cycling. However, as evidence and former team-mates' allegations stacked up, Armstrong was stripped of his titles. He confessed to cheating in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, saying the culture in professional cycling made using drugs non-negotiable.
Hansie Cronje was the golden boy of South African sport, leading the nation's cricket team with style. However, his love of money proved his downfall. Cronje entertained match-fixers, calling team meetings to discuss throwing matches. Most infamously, he contrived to lose a rain-affected Test against England in 2000. He was undone by an Indian police wiretap, confessed, and was banned for life. Cronje died in a plane crash two years later at age 32.
In 2008, before the inaugural Singapore Grand Prix, Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr knew turn 17 of the Marina Bay Street Circuit had no overhead cranes. On lap 14, he found himself in that position, leading to F1's 'Crashgate' scandal.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing