Algeria striker Rafik Saifi was involved in an altercation with a journalist after his team was eliminated from the World Cup.
The confrontation followed Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to the United States and happened at Loftus Versfeld in an area where media interviews are conducted with players.
A female reporter from an Algerian publication was heard shouting at Saifi, who left the stadium holding his lip and refusing to respond to questions.
FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot told a news conference Thursday morning that he’d heard about the clash but had not received an official report.
He declined comment on the specific case, but said: “It’s clear the values of fair play apply not only the pitch, but off the pitch as well.”
Algeria finished at the bottom of Group C with just one point and was eliminated from the tournament.
According to Yahoo’s Martin Rogers, Saifi slapped the reporter. Rogers writes that the reporter, Asma Halimi, responded by hitting the Algerian player in the mouth. Read his full report here for more info.
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