Robert Smith Told FIFA to “Just F-Off” Over Its First-Ever World Cup Final Halftime Show
By Sari Moon
The Cure frontman didn’t want a Super Bowl-style spectacle bolted onto the biggest match in the sport. He aimed his rant at FIFA president Gianni Infantino, not at the stars set to perform.
Smith posted his takedown to The Cure’s official Instagram account ahead of the Argentina-Spain final, sharing a description of the event with his own commentary attached.
“Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantosser, has described the half-time show as ‘groundbreaking spectacle’ that will ‘celebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle.’ AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH… #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustf–koff,” he wrote.
Curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, the inaugural show was set to feature Madonna, Justin Bieber, Shakira and BTS at New York/New Jersey Stadium. Halftime in soccer usually runs 15 minutes, but broadcasters expected the break to stretch closer to 30 to fit the performance.
Hours later, after some fans read his post as a shot at the artists, Smith clarified he was going after the concept. “THE POINT IS NOT R E A L L Y ABOUT W H O IS CURATING OR PERFORMING, IT IS ABOUT THE #MUGWANK I D E A OF A FOOTBALL WORLD CUP FINAL HALF TIME SHOW,” he wrote, telling anyone who still disagreed to “ADJUST YOUR RED CAP” and “KNOCK YOURSELF OUT.”
He also jabbed at Donald Trump‘s planned trophy-presentation appearance, writing that “Infantosser has said he and US president Trumpton will small hand over trophy on Sunday.” A longtime football fan and devoted Queens Park Rangers supporter, Smith fired off the posts just days after England’s run ended in a 2-1 loss to Argentina.
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