Robbie Williams calls World Cup TV slip “deeply unprofessional”

Robbie Williams has publicly addressed a “deeply unprofessional” on‑screen gaffe that occurred during the World Cup final, when a small white object was accidentally spat onto his microphone. The 52‑year‑old singer said the incident was unintentional and apologised for the distraction on live TV.

Williams had performed earlier in the day alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Laura Pausini at the World Cup closing ceremony on Sunday. The trio’s act was part of the event that capped the tournament before the final match.

Later that evening, Williams appeared on German TV channel Magenta Sport as a pundit, where the mishap unfolded on camera. While discussing the match with fellow analysts, the white object emerged from his mouth and landed on the microphone.

He promptly retrieved the item, held it briefly, and then rubbed it onto his forehead, where it adhered. The unusual gesture drew immediate attention from viewers and commentators alike.

The incident quickly went viral, prompting widespread discussion on social media. Williams responded by posting a video on Instagram to explain the mysterious object.

In the self‑recorded clip, the singer lies in bed, apologises for the object that fell onto the microphone yesterday, and labels his behaviour “deeply unprofessional.” He then reveals two circular mints, jokes that he had “several more,” and sticks his tongue out.

The Instagram caption reads: “Just woke up and feeling…. Mint x.” The post was accompanied by laughter before the video cuts off.

The episode unfolded amid a high‑profile World Cup half‑time show that featured global stars such as Madonna, Shakira and BTS, and saw the interval extended to more than 27 minutes. Former England forward Wayne Rooney, also present at the New York New Jersey Stadium, dismissed the entertainment as “crap,” underscoring the mixed reactions to the tournament’s spectacle.