Britney Spears has reportedly filed a police report after allegedly being assaulted by an NBA star’s security guard.
According to TMZ, Spears, 41, was allegedly smacked in the face by San Antonio Spurs player Victor Wembanyama’s security guard at Catch inside Las Vegas’ Aria Resort & Casino on Wednesday night (Thursday in Australia).
A source told the outlet that Spears was a “fan” of the 19-year-old French basketballer, so she went up to ask him for a photo together, which is when the alleged incident occurred.
Watch the video above.
On that same night, Wembanyama had been seen signing autographs for fans.
According to TMZ‘s source, Spears “tapped [Wembanyama] on his back, right shoulder,” and then his security guard allegedly “backhanded her”.
Spears reportedly fell to the floor after the alleged slap, and her glasses were said to have been knocked off her face.
According to the outlet, Spears returned back to her table and composed herself, and the security guard reportedly apologised to her.
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“‘You understand how it is when you’re being swarmed by fans,'” the security guard allegedly told Spears, who appeared to have been accompanied by husband Sam Asghari, 29, and manager Cade Hudson on the night.
The Toxic songstress reportedly accepted the security guard’s alleged apology.
Page Six later confirmed that Spears had filed a police report for battery, with the Las Vegas Police Department telling the outlet they responded to an incident that night at the same location regarding a battery investigation.
”No arrest or citations have been issued,” the public information officer for the department told the outlet.
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According to a report from TMZ overnight, the alleged incident is being handled as a criminal investigation, and reportedly the case could be referred to the District Attorney’s Office.
According to The Associated Press, Wembanyama claims he was grabbed from behind by Spears, and said he wasn’t told it was Spears until hours later.
He also told the outlet that security advised him not to stop for anyone when walking into Catch, as pausing could cause a stir and facilitate a crowd to build.
“I couldn’t stop. That person was calling me, ‘Sir, sir,’ and that person grabbed me from behind,” Wembanyama claimed, according to the outlet.
“I didn’t see what happened because I was walking straight and didn’t stop. That person grabbed me from behind – not on my shoulder, she grabbed me from behind,” he alleged.
“I just know the security pushed her away. I don’t know with how much force but security pushed her away. I didn’t stop to look so I could walk in and enjoy a nice dinner.”
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Spears has not publicly commented on the matter, but Asghari took to his Instagram Story this morning with a statement alluding to the alleged incident.
“I am opposed to violence in any form, especially without justification in the defense of yourself or someone else who is unable to defend themselves,” Asghari’s statement began.
“Self-defense can be unavoidable, but the defense of any woman, especially my wife, is not debatable. I consider my reaction subdued considering what occurred, and I hope the man in question learns a lesson and changes his disregard for women,” Asghari claimed in the statement, before writing, “Thank you for the support.”
Asghari also alleged: “The violent behaviour of an out-of-control security guard should not cast a shadow on the accomplishment of a great young man on the rise [Wembanyama].”
“The blame should fall on the coward who did this, the people who hired him without proper vetting, and a systemic culture of disregard for women within sports and entertainment,” Asghari claimed.
“I can’t imagine a scenario where an unarmed female fan showing any kind of excitement or appreciation for a celebrity would cause her to be physically assaulted, much less being hit in the face for tapping someone on the shoulder,” Asghari alleged.
“The changes needed will have to come from the top, and I look forward to those changes.”
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