Madonna Halftime Show Marred By M.I.A.'s Middle Finger

Watch out, M.I.A. While the FCC might soon be after you, we’d be more terrified of Madonna.

During Sunday night’s rather impressive Superbowl halftime show, rapper M.I.A. joined Nicki Minaj in spitting a few lines and dancing alongside Madonna during “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” which probably gave the self-proclaimed badass the most exposure she’s ever had. And instead of taking the opportunity to show off her skills or promote her new single, “Bad Girls,” M.I.A. used her camera time to flip the bird to the millions of viewers turned in.

Now, of course there will be a public backlash and there might even be a fine—remember how Janet Jackson almost had to cough up $550,000 after she flashed a boob in 2004?—but all of that pales in comparison to what we can only imagine Madonna will do to the British-born rapper. After all, not only did M.I.A. make what was a pretty awesome performance into a big F.U. to the viewers but worse, she upstaged her hostess.

NBC, which broadcasted the game and halftime show, released a statement saying, “We apologize for the inappropriate gesture that aired during half-time. It was a spontaneous gesture that our delay system caught late.” When the NFL sent out its own statement, essentially blaming NBC for being too late to blur the image for viewers at home, NBC was quick to point out that the football league hired the talent.

Nothing has been announced yet regarding any penalties for M.I.A., the league, or the network, but we wouldn’t be surprised if some street justice Madge-style was doled out before the FCC has a chance to act.