Britney Spears has confirmed she filed a police report, after allegedly being backhand-slapped by French NBA star Victor Wembanyama's security team on Wednesday (July 5) night in Las Vegas. It's reported the singer was 'struck to the ground' while with her husband Sam Asghari and two other guests.
In a statement on social media, Spears said she recognised the 19-year-old basketball phenomenon and "decided to approach him and congratulate him on his success". She alleged that she approached Wembanyama to ask for a photo and tapped him on his shoulder because it was "really loud".
She added: "I'm aware of the player's statement where he mentioned I grabbed him from behind, but I simply tapped him on the shoulder. His security then backhanded me in the face without looking back in front of a crowd."
Wembanyama was selected first on the 2023 NBA Draft and will make his San Antonio Spurs debut later in the year when the season kicks-off. Standing at 7ft 4in and yet to stop growing, the youngster is already a star thanks to his dazzling performances in France and boasts a large social media following.
Spears said her glasses were knocked off her face in the incident, which she described as "embarrassing". Celebrity news site TMZ reports the security guard in question later went to find Spears at her table in Catch restaurant at the Aria hotel.
She has since thanked Las Vegas police and criticised Wembanyama security for being 'heavy handed'. She said: "I get swarmed by people all the time. In fact, that night, I was run by a group of at least 20 fans, my security team didn’t hit any of them."
A statement by Las Vegas Police (LVMPD) reads: "On 5 July 2023 at approximately 11pm, LVMPD officers responded to a property in the 3,700 block of Las Vegas Boulevard regarding a battery investigation. The incident has been documented on a police report and no arrest or citations have been issued. No further details will be provided at this time."
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Now free from her controversial conservatorship, which saw almost every element of her life controlled by others for 13 years, Britney has been able to life her life the way she wishes again. She has since married her long-time partner Asghari, who she first met on the set of her 2016 music video for 'Slumber Party' featuring Tinashe.
