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Algerian Reporter Hits Back After Being Slapped By Soccer Player

06/23/10-by Bridgette P. LaVictoire
After the United States won their World Cup soccer match against Algeria, Rafik Saifi, a player on that team, decided to vent his anger at a reporter. He marched off the field and slapped Asma Halimi across the face. She punched him in the mouth.

Anger between the two of them goes back to an article written by Halimi that Saifi did not agree with. Halimi writes for the Algerian newspaper Competition. It is reported that Saifi struck Halimi open handed after storming off the field. He had been brought in during the last five minutes of the match which saw the United States win one to nothing over Algeria. With this loss, Algeria was bumped from the competition. Halimi then struck Saifi in the mouth closed fisted, and her thumbnail caught and apparently split Saifi’s lip. He then threw a sports drink against the wall as she was escorted away from the interview area by security.

Regarding the incident, Halimi stated “I said nothing to him and he reached over and hit me. So I hit him back. I said nothing to him first.” She is planning on filing a formal complaint against Saifi.

Guatemala reporter Francisco Aguilar Chang “She was standing there and the guy came here and he hit her. Then she hit him back and her nail caught his lip.”