The Toxic singer, 41, claimed she was ‘backhanded’ in the face by a security guard after approaching French basketball star Victor Wembanyama in a Las Vegas hotel.
Posting online following the incident, the My Prerogative hitmaker said she had been on the way to dinner when she had recognised Victor and went to ‘congratulate him on his success’ before being ‘nearly knocked down’ by one of his staff.
On Friday, the alleged slap, which Britney later described as a ‘traumatic experience’, was one of ITV News’ main headlines but viewers picked up on a serious error in the broadcaster’s report.
As anchors recounted Wednesday night’s sequence of events, a clip of Britney Spears’ music video Baby One More Time was aired, which features the lyrics: ‘Just give me a sign, hit me baby one more time.’
Viewers were horrified by the song choice, with one fuming on Twitter: ‘It’s pretty insensitive of ITV News to play that song while covering Britney’s recent assault. #BritneySpears.’
‘I guess ITV News quality control needs adjusting but wow,’ another wrote.
A third added: ‘How is ITV News using Britney Spears’ song Hit Me Baby One More Time to report on the story she was hit by a security guard?!!”
Victor addressed the incident at a press conference where he claimed he did not know it was Britney until hours after, and had felt someone ‘grab [him] from behind.’
The 19-year-old said: ‘I just know the security pushed her away. I don’t know with how much force… and I didn’t stop to look, I kept walking to enjoy the nice dinner.’
The basketball star added that he did not think the incident was a ‘big deal’ and when he returned to his hotel room he found out the Me Against The Music chart-topper was involved.
He also said: ‘It turns out it was Britney Spears but I didn’t know, I never saw her face.’
Britney had been in Las Vegas with her husband, Sam Asghari, who she married in June last year at her home in Los Angeles.
In his own statement, posted on his Instagram story,the 29-year-old wrote: ‘I am opposed to violence in any form, especially without justification in the defence of yourself or someone else who is unable to defend themselves.
‘Self defence can be unavoidable, but the defence of any woman, especially my wife, is not debatable.’
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department confirmed in a statement to the PA news agency it had been called to a report of an assault on Wednesday evening at Las Vegas Boulevard.
Metro.co.uk has contacted ITV News for comment.
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