Britney Spears accidentally hit herself in the face during an altercation with a basketball star’s security, say police.
The singer claimed she was “back handed” when she tried to tap Victor Wembanyama on the shoulder, calling it a “traumatic experience”.
Wembanyama said he’d been grabbed from behind as he walked into a Las Vegas restaurant on Wednesday and that his security “pushed her away”.
The 7ft 4in player – predicted to become the NBA’s next superstar – said he didn’t realise it was Spears because he didn’t look back.
In a tweet, Spears denied grabbing him and claimed the security guard “back handed me in the face without looking back, in front of a crowd. Nearly knocking me down and causing my glasses [to fall] off my face”.
Spears filed a police report, but Las Vegas officers have said the pop star actually “hit herself in the face” when her hand was pushed away.
It said CCTV “showed Britney going to tap the Spurs player on the shoulder”.
Britney Spears ‘hit in the face’ by NBA star Victor Wembanyama’s bodyguard
Britney Spears’ mother Lynne Spears urges star to have private conversation, saying: ‘I have tried my best’
Britney Spears releases first new music in six years, saying duet with Elton John is ‘pretty damn cool’
“When she touched the player [redacted] pushes her hand off of the player without looking, which causes Britney’s hand to hit herself in the face”.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Police said the security guard did not wilfully or unlawfully use force or violence, and no charges have been brought.
Officers also interviewed security for both celebrities, who both said pushing a hand off someone’s shoulder was standard practice.
Wembanyama’s security and Spears have both apologised to each other, according to the police report.
The 19-year-player recently joined San Antonio Spurs as the first pick in this year’s NBA draft and many are expecting great things when the season starts in October.