Britney Spears has claimed she was hit within the face by a safety guard when she tried to faucet a 7ft 4in tall NBA star on the shoulder.

The singer mentioned she was “again handed” and practically knocked to the bottom after she approached Victor Wembanyama from behind as he walked right into a resort restaurant in Las Vegas.

In an emotional assertion on Thursday, Spears described the incident on Wednesday evening as a “traumatic expertise” and mentioned she hoped to get an apology from the participant.

It got here after the San Antonio Spurs star informed reporters hours earlier that she had “grabbed me from behind”, and insisted that his safety had solely “pushed her away” – though he admitted he didn’t see the complete incident.

The 19-year-old is considered one of basketball’s biggest prospects and was the primary decide within the 2023 NBA Draft in New York final month.

However Spears, who’s 5ft 4in tall, denied grabbing the athlete and mentioned she had simply been making an attempt to speak to him.

She wrote on Twitter: “I made a decision to method him and congratulate him on his success. It was actually loud, so I tapped him on the shoulder to get his consideration.

“I’m conscious of the participant’s assertion the place he mentions I ‘grabbed him from behind’ however I merely tapped him on the shoulder.

“His safety then again handed me within the face with out wanting again, in entrance of a crowd. Almost knocking me down and inflicting my glasses [to fall] off my face.”

She added: “This story is tremendous embarrassing to share with the world however its [sic] on the market already. Nonetheless, I believe it is essential to share this story and to induce folks within the public eye to set an instance and deal with all folks with respect.

“Bodily violence is occurring an excessive amount of on this world.”

Spears’ husband Sam Asghari additionally spoke out, saying followers ought to blame “the coward who did this” relatively than Wembanyama following the incident.

He wrote in an announcement on Instagram: “Self-defence may be unavoidable, however the defence of any lady, particularly my spouse, just isn’t debatable.

“I take into account my response subdued contemplating what occurred, and I hope the person in query learns a lesson and adjustments his disregard for girls.”

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‘That particular person grabbed me from behind’

Rising star Wembanyama, who’s the second tallest participant within the NBA and has a wingspan of 8ft, had earlier informed reporters: “I did not see what occurred, as a result of I used to be strolling straight and we have been informed ‘Do not cease’.

“However that particular person grabbed me from behind – not on my shoulder, she grabbed me from behind – so I simply know the safety pushed her away.

“I do not know with how a lot power, although. However safety pushed her away. I did not cease to look, so I may stroll in and benefit from the good dinner.”

The 19-year-old Frenchman added that he was unaware the girl was Spears till a number of hours later.

“At first I used to be like, ‘No, you are joking’,” he mentioned. “However, yeah, it seems it was Britney Spears,” he added.

The TMZ web site reported that the incident occurred outdoors the CATCH seafood restaurant in Las Vegas’s Aria Lodge.

Las Vegas Police informed Sky Information in an announcement: “On July 5, 2023, at roughly 11pm, LVMPD officers responded… relating to a battery investigation.

“The incident has been documented on a police report and no arrest or citations have been issued.”