Sports Photographer Left With Cut Lip After Being ‘Slapped’ By Security
Photographer Mark Thompson was allegedly slapped by a security guard at the Formula One in Hungary this weekend, with an image of the confrontation being posted to his Twitter timeline.
Thompson uploaded two pictures to his Twitter feed, with the first picture showing an irate security guard squaring up to the photographer, who is wearing an official press bib. The caption reads: “the friendly face of F1 trackside security Hungary style! #thugs”
A second picture then shows Thompson with his head to the side as if he had just received a blow to the face and the security guard standing angrily with his hands down by his side. “The friendly face of Hungarian trackside security part two the slap across the face (note cut to lip),” writes Thompson.
The friendly face of F1 trackside security Hungary style! #thugs pic.twitter.com/l8JJI0WTIT
— Mark Thompson (@snapper_thommo) July 29, 2022
The picture does indeed show a cut to Thompson’s upper right lip with commentators underneath the Tweet outraged on the photographer’s behalf. Formula One pundit Karun Chandhok writes: “WTF?! Are you ok mate??” And 1996 Formula One world champion Damon Hill also expressed his disgust writing: “What the hell?”
Fellow photographer Lindsey Parnaby added: “This is shocking to see especially at an international sporting event, whatever the country Thommo. I hope you heal soon.”
The friendly face of Hungarian trackside security pt2 the slap across the face ( note cut to lip) pic.twitter.com/iLIsBhltZd
— Mark Thompson (@snapper_thommo) July 29, 2022
There is little context to the incident with Thompson so far not elaborating further on what happened and as of publication the photographer has not responed to PetaPixel’s outreaches. Thompson is a respected and experienced Formula One photographer who shoots for Getty Images.
The race organizers, the FIA and Formula One, have launched an investigation into the incident involving the photographer, reports the Daily Star.
Further trouble was reported at this weekend’s Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix with reports that Max Verstappen fans, who won the race on Sunday, were setting fire to Lewis Hamilton merchandise in the stands.
“That’s of course not acceptable,” the Red Bull driver told reporters. “These individuals, I definitely don’t agree with that because that’s just disgusting.”
And at the last Grand Prix, in Austria, there were more reports of abusive fans harassing other supporters during the weekend, with abhorrent incidents that included homophobic and racial slurs.
