Liverpool supporters condemned for attacking Smith ambulance
Daniel Taylor
Thursday February 23, 2006
The Guardian
The reputation of Liverpool fans took another pummelling last night when it was revealed that the ambulance taking Alan Smith to hospital had come under attack outside Anfield. Supporters surrounded the vehicle while throwing missiles and shouting "Munich scum" in reference to the plane crash that killed 23 people, including eight Manchester United players, in 1958.
Bottles, beer glasses and stones were hurled as the ambulance became stuck in heavy traffic after Saturday's FA Cup tie. Witnesses also claim the ambulance was rocked as some Liverpool followers tried to overturn it. A spokesman for the Merseyside ambulance trust confirmed the attack and condemned the people responsible. "It did not result in any delay in transferring the player to hospital . . . but the trust cannot condone this type of behaviour while administering emergency treatment."
The two paramedics - both Liverpool fans - have been described as "horrified" by what the trust described as the "hostility" once supporters realised Smith was in the ambulance with United's doctor Mike Stone. The vehicle was described as being rocked from side to side as drinkers rushed out of the King Harry pub, some apparently with the intention of turning the vehicle on its side.
"These people aren't real fans of football," United and Liverpool said in a joint statement last night. "Both clubs feel the mindless actions of a few idiots should not overshadow the efforts of all involved to make sure Alan received the best possible treatment as soon as possible. Manchester United would also like to point out they are very grateful for the speedy and efficient help of all Liverpool staff."
Smith had been given a general anaesthetic inside the stadium and therefore did not know what had happened until he came round. Having already suffered a broken leg and a badly dislocated ankle, injuries which Sir Alex Ferguson described as "some of the worst I've ever seen", he has subsequently been informed that he had a lucky escape. He has been transferred to a private hospital in Manchester and is understood to have sent the paramedics his United shirt for their courage in such difficult circumstances.
It also emerged yesterday that several United supporters have written to Liverpool to complain that home supporters in the Anfield Road end had thrown paper cups containing excrement into the away section below them. "I consider this to be the most disgusting thing that I've seen in over 40 years of attending professional football matches," says one of the letters addressed to Ged Poynton, Anfield's stadium manager.
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