Robbie Williams stuns fans by giving World Cup TV viewers the finger during live coverage of his opening ceremony performance
- WARNING: MATURE CONTENT
- The opening ceremony saw a host of stars perform at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow before the first match
- The United Kingdom were well represented as pop star Robbie Williams performed at packed out venue
- But Williams courted controversy after sticking his middle finger up to the camera while leaving the pitch
Robbie Williams has sparked outrage after appearing to give the finger to the camera during a performance at the World Cup opening ceremony.
Football fans exploded on Twitter after noticing the ageing singer stick his middle finger up when leaving the pitch following a performance of his hit song 'Angels' as part of Thursday afternoon's proceedings.
Twitter users were left stunned by Williams' antics with some blasting him for a 'lack of morals' and calling him 'desperate for attention'.
Thousands of revellers packed inside the sold-out stadium to witness the dazzling opening ceremony - seen by an estimated one billion people worldwide.
According to experts, Williams risks facing arrest and a fine for his one-finger gesture, if it is proved it was meant as an insult.
According to experts, Williams risks facing arrest and a fine for his one-finger gesture, if it is proved it was meant as an insult.
Russia's administrative code allows prosecutors to take offenders to court and be punished for outraging public decency - punishable with a fine of up to £6,000.
One legal source in Moscow said: 'It needs to be proved that the gesture was intended to be an insult and an expert has to testify in the court that it was an insult.'
Robbie Williams appeared to give millions of fans watching the opening ceremony the finger during proceedings on Thursday afternoon
The singer had earlier given fans a peace symbol before his performance in front of a packed crowd at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow
UK pop sensation Robbie Williams headlined the World Cup opening ceremony at the stadium in a red leopard-print suit
The Stoke-born singer takes to the stage as the dancers get into the spirit of the occasion during a lively performance in Moscow
Williams performed three songs as part of the ceremony - with his controversial single 'Party Like a Russian' not included on the set-list.
Williams performed three songs as part of the ceremony - with his controversial single 'Party Like a Russian' not included on the set-list.
He didn't manage to steer clear of controversy entirely, however, after taking the decision to raise his middle finger to the cameras as he left the pitch.
One Twitter user said: 'What a joke! Watching with my kids and that happened? Wow.'
While another added: 'Robbie Williams is such a melt showing his middle finger!'
'Worst opening performance ever at a FIFA World Cup goes to Robbie Williams #WorldCup,' another commented.
The decision to book the former Take That member to sing at the opening ceremony met with surprise when it was announced by FIFA on Monday.
Enraged fans took to social media to protest against the decision soon after the announcement - slamming the organisers for not booking a Russian act.
After the swearing incident, one fan tweeted a picture of star with the caption: 'Robbie Williams has accurately conveyed my feeling towards this World Cup.'
While another said: 'Robbie Williams is an extremely dubious choice to open the World Cup.'
The 44-year-old former Take That star opened with his 1998 single 'Let Me Entertain You' at the start of the proceedings
Williams and opera star Aida Garifullina perform the smash hit 'Angels' in front of thousands of fans at Moscow's stadium
The plans for the opening ceremony at the Luzhniki Stadium had been a closely-guarded secret.
Williams - described by FIFA as a 'global music icon' - performed at certain points throughout the scheduled 15-minute pre-tournament build-up.
The 44-year-old opened with his 1998 single 'Let Me Entertain You' at the start of proceedings after spending time on stage with former Brazil striker Ronaldo.
Russian harpist Alexander Boldachev then took centre-stage, with a large 'fire bird' entering the pitch carrying operatic performer Aida Garifullina.
She performed a duet of Williams' smash-hit 'Angels' with the Stoke-born singer, who also brought the ceremony to a close with the hit'.
The star's antics will no doubt worry X Factor bosses after he was recently picked to lead the lineup of the show's brand new judging panel alongside wife Ayda Field.
According to the Mirror, the singer, 44, and his actress wife, 39, will join music mogul Simon Cowell on the panel when it returns in August in a deal rumoured to be worth around £10million.
Former Spain captain Iker Casillas lifted the World Cup in 2010 and brought the trophy out ahead of the ceremony, with the 32 flags representing the competing nations unfurled during the the performance of 'Angels'.
Artists perform before the Group A match between Russia and Saudi Arabia, which opens the 2018 soccer World Cup
An entertainer balances on top of an inflatable football and juggles a further three as fire blazes behind him and the huge crowd watches in awe
Casillas raises his hand to acknowledge the crowd after placing the trophy on a plinth, denoting it is up for grabs once more
Goalkeeper Casillas and model Natalia Vodianova show the World Cup trophy prior to the World Cup opening ceremony
Around 800 people were involved in the on-stage activities, which were held closer to kick-off than in recent finals.
Williams said opening the event to 80,000 fans and many millions all over the world was a boyhood dream, and added: 'We'd like to invite football and music fans to party with us in Russia, in the stadium, or to tune in their TVs a little earlier for an unforgettable show.'
Former Spain captain Iker Casillas lifted the World Cup in 2010 and will bring the trophy out ahead of the ceremony, with the 32 flags representing the competing nations being unfurled during the the performance of 'Angels'.
There will be around 800 people involved in the on-stage activities, which are being held closer to kick-off than in recent finals - with Williams not due to finish his set until 15 minutes before Russia get the tournament under way against Saudi Arabia.
Williams said opening the event to 80,000 fans and many millions all over the world was a boyhood dream, and added: 'We'd like to invite football and music fans to party with us in Russia, in the stadium, or to tune in their TVs a little earlier for an unforgettable show.'
A cohort of dressed-up performers wave a massive banner with the logo of the tournament on it as the ceremony started
A host of dancers line the field, wearing footballs around their neck, as they dance to Robbie Williams' songs
A huge number of dancers and performers were employed by the organisers in what will go down as one of the most colourful displays in recent memory
Brazilian football legend, and former World Cup winner in 2002, Ronaldo was in attendance as the show kicked off in style
Ronaldo and a child from the host nation had a kickabout with the mascot for this year's tournament while dancers moved around them
Performers dressed in outfits with markings like a football pitch carry out jaw-dropping acrobatics in front of the crowd of 80,000 plus
The spectacular show took place on the pitch at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow moments before kick-off between Russia and Saudi Arabia
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shakes hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin after Russia took the lead in the opening game of the tournament
The Saudi Prince looked less than happy as his side received a drubbing at the hands of the Russians. Both FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Vladimir Putin shrugged their shoulders after the first goal
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