It is not common for Robert Smith to use The Cure’s official Instagram to comment on matters outside music. However, the singer has broken that line to publicly rail against FIFA over the new halftime show of the World Cup final, inspired by the Super Bowl format.
Following the group’s post about the halftime show, featuring a poster that boldly includes Justin Bieber, Shakira, Madonna and BTS-, Smith has replied that he sees it all as a circus: or in his words: “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH… #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustfuckoff.”
Later he clarified that his anger was not aimed at the artists, but at the very idea of turning the World Cup final’s break into a huge commercial spectacle. He also criticized Donald Trump’s participation in the trophy ceremony, confirmed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, whom Smith has called contemptuously “infantosser.” “Tosser” is a very common British insult that roughly means “idiot” or “ prat.”
Smith, who recently performed at Primavera Sound at the head of The Cure, also surprised a few weeks ago by appearing unexpectedly with Olivia Rodrigo to perform live the song they share, ‘what’s wrong with me’, officially released a week later.
