Former Manchester United striker Alan Smith has denied long-held claims that Liverpool fans attacked his ambulance after he broke his leg at Anfield.
Smith suffered a broken leg and a dislocated ankle while attempting to block a John Arne Riise free-kick during the fifth round clash at Anfield in February 2006.
At the time of the incident, reports circulated that Liverpool fans tried to disrupt Smith's journey to hospital by throwing bottles, beer glasses and stones at the ambulance as well as rocking the vehicle.
"It didn't happen - fans were still in the ground," he told FourFourTwo.
"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.
"It wasn't Riise's fault and he came to see me. The dislocated ankle was worse than the leg break because I snapped ligaments and there were complications.
"I knew I was never going to be the same player. I've appreciated every game I've played since that injury, I know how close I was to being finished."
