An angry soccer fan aggressively confronted American broadcaster Alexi Lalas last weekend near his Moscow hotel, according to USA Today.
The report said Lalas feared for his safety, citing an anonymous source because of the “sensitivity of the matter.”
“He was shaken up,” the source told USA Today. “It was aggressive behavior that went a long way beyond what someone in his position might usually expect. The fan was angry.”
Lalas, a former US National Team defender, is participating in Fox’s World Cup coverage.
He declined comment to the paper and hasn’t posted about the incident on any of his social media channels.
“The safety and security of our Fox family is of the utmost importance in all parts of the world,” Fox Sports said in a statement to the paper. “Our dedicated security teams take security measures very seriously both at home and abroad. As it pertains to Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas, he was not physically assaulted or mugged in Moscow.”
German reporter Julieth Gonzalez Theran was groped in the city of Saransk last week while covering the World Cup.
Lalas has become known for being an outspoken supporter of soccer in the United States, but has at times been critical of the way the US national team plays.
He appeared in 96 games for the national team, including the 1994 World Cup, and scored nine goals.
Lalas started his soccer career in Italy’s Serie A, but later played seven seasons with four different MLS teams.