“I did not slap journalist and I have unhappy surprises for her before court,” says Algeria’s Saifi

Algeria’s striker Rafik Saifi said Competition’s female journalist slapped him for a personal reason. “Justice will decide in our case,” he told Echorouk in an interview.

• What happened exactly between you and the journalist after the match against the US?
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• This journalist alleged that I slapped her. Actually, she hit me with a tape recorder as I refused to make any statement. She alleged that there were witnesses. Each time, she comes with a new story and new witnesses. The weirdest point is that she was talking about witnesses who were not present.
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• Like whom?
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• Like the player Karim Ziani’s uncle. Is it reasonable that Ziani’s uncle can be in the media place within surveillance? Practically speaking, it is impossible for the man to be present there. This point shows the journalist’s intention to tarnish my reputation by this lie.
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• Was there any witness with you?
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• She talked about witnesses no one knew them and they have not shown up yet. Chaouchi and a member of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) were present. You can ask them about those allegations.
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• Why did the journalist target you?
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• This journalist has criticised me for a long time and she is doing that for a personal reason. She harmed my family and my personal life. Thanks to Allah, I have never been in a conflict with any journalist except this one.
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• So, it is not the first time that this journalist has bothered you?
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• Yes. Her newspaper wrote that I said “After Israel, there is Egypt.” I have never said that. The, the paper run an erratum. They wanted to give an image of me as a reckless player though I have been playing for the national team for 11 years. I did my best but the truth will be shown.
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• Will you sue the journalist and the newspaper?
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• Of course. She uttered offending words about me. I will not keep silent. The law will decide in our case. I am waiting for her evidences and there will be unhappy surprises for her. I will disclose many things.
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• Many Arab journalists said you were right and you are a model of a successful Arab player in Europe.
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• That journalist must hear that. You can ask the Algerian people about Saifi. Thanks to Allah, I have never rejected an invitation from the national team. I did my best. I contributed in qualifying to the World Cup. I tried as much as possible to help my country and this journalist who holds grudges tries to tarnish my reputation.