Ex-Manchester United star Alan Smith discusses his infamous Anfield injury…
Former Manchester United forward Alan Smith has denied claims that Liverpool fans attacked his ambulance, after he broke his leg during an FA Cup tie at Anfield in 2006.
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The Reds won the game 1-0 on route to lifting the trophy at the Millennium Stadium, but the match itself was best remembered for the horrific injury suffered by the ex-England international.
As the Daily Mirror tells us, Smith suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle after being struck by a John Arne Riise shot, with reports at the time claiming that the King Harry pub emptied out in an attempt to cause trouble.
It was suggested that bottles, beer glasses and stones were thrown at the ambulance, while some even attempted to rock the vehicle and tried to overturn it. The two clubs later issued a joint statement condemning the incident – which can only have contributed to the misinformation that propagated.
However, the 34-year-old Notts County utility man has now spoken out, and is quoted by the Mirror as saying: “It didn’t happen – fans were still in the ground. I went back to Liverpool a few years later with Newcastle and had a great reception.
“I had loads of mail from fans after the injury, including a lot from Liverpool. And Liverpool’s medical staff were great.
“They were worried that because there was no blood flowing that I could have had a club foot. Some might say I might as well have in my left foot now!”