Algerian player hits woman reporter...

[VivaFutbol 10]

http://g.sports.yahoo.com/soccer/world-cup/news/algeria-star-slaps-female-reporter--fbintl_ro-algeria062310.html

 

"Algeria player slaps female reporter"

 

PRETORIA, South Africa – Algeria soccer player Rafik Saifi slapped a female journalist across the face as the aftermath of the United States’ dramatic World Cup victory turned ugly at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Wednesday night.

 

While walking through the interview zone, Saifi spotted writer Asma Halimi, who works for Algerian newspaper Competition, and struck her with his open hand in front of dozens of witnesses. Halimi responded by striking the player in the mouth.

 

Saifi then threw a sports drink bottle at a wall in the interview area, as Halimi was ushered away by security staff.

 

Saifi came on as substitute for the last five minutes of the USA’s 1-0 victory.

 

“I said nothing to him and he reached over and hit me,†Halimi said to Yahoo! Sports. “So I hit him back. I said nothing to him first.â€

 

It is understood that Saifi and Halimi had previously had a difference of opinion over an article she wrote for her newspaper.

 

“She was standing there and the guy came here and he hit her,†said Francisco Aguilar Chang, a reporter from Guatemala who witnessed the incident. “Then she hit him back and her nail caught his lip.â€

 

Saifi and Algerian football association officials refused to comment when quizzed by Yahoo! Sports.

 

The Algerian team has come under heavy criticism in its homeland after a disappointing World Cup in which it finished at the bottom of Group C and was knocked out of the tournament.

 

When asked if she would launch an official complaint with governing body FIFA and the Algerian F.A., Halimi replied: “Of course.â€

[Deleted Account 5,203]

Saifi should be ashamed of himself, and congrats to Halimi for giving him a nice pop back!

[VivaFutbol 10]

He was the guy that the announcers referred to as the "bad boy of Algerian football"

[keeper1 10]

not to be confused with chaouchi, the goalkeeper who was originally going to be suspended for the first two games due to an attack on a referee....sounds like we have a few attitude problems on the algerian national team.

[bhs7695 185]

I thought Algeria played the U.S. dirty in the late stages of the game. Dempsey got smacked across the face and that should have been a Red card. A few moments later, Beasley gets taken down from behind with no attempt to play the ball by the Algerian player and that could have been a red card too.

[deuceswild 15]

We all know its not okay to hit a woman unless you tell her you're Rick James first.

 

I doubt he did this.

 

Inexcusable. He should be banned from future World Cups, fined, and punished by whatever else they do to international athletes... take away their goat? IDK..

[blueinbama 259]

We all know its not okay to hit a woman unless you tell her you're Rick James first.

 

I doubt he did this.

 

Inexcusable. He should be banned from future World Cups, fined, and punished by whatever else they do to international athletes... take away their goat? IDK..

 

I don't watch a lot of soccer, but I watched yesterday. The Algerian guys, one in particular, were stepping on the feet of the US guys. I know if you're going for the ball, that can happen, but it seemed to me to be intentional, and not while going for the ball. Anyone else notice this?

[bhs7695 185]

We all know its not okay to hit a woman unless you tell her you're Rick James first.

 

I doubt he did this.

 

Inexcusable. He should be banned from future World Cups, fined, and punished by whatever else they do to international athletes... take away their goat? IDK..

 

I thought they had Yaks and Camels (not the cigarettes)??

 

Ain't that a B!