NBC Apologizes For M.I.A. Flipping Middle Finger at Super Bowl Halftime Show

NBC and the NFL have apologized for M.I.A.'s middle finger moment during Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show.

our editor recommends

Super Bowl 2012: Trailers for 'Avengers,' 'John Carter,' 'Battleship' Premiere (Videos)

Madonna's Super Bowl Halftime Show: What Hollywood Is Saying

The rapper flipped the bird while performing alongside Madonna and Nicki Minaj on the network's telecast, which was watched by millions as one of the biggest events on television.

"The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show," NBC said in a statement to THR. "Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers."

PHOTOS: Best (And Worst) Super Bowl Commercials

For its part, the NFL released a statement that seemed to blame the fault delay system for the airing of the gesture. "There was a failure in NBC's delay system. The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans."

M.I.A., known for her rebellious, brash persona and music, performed in a cheerleader outfit for a performance of Madonna's latest single, "Give Me All Your Luvin,'" on which she and Minaj -- also onstage in a pom-pom girl uniform -- are featured rappers.

Her bratty gesture recalled another malfunction of the wardrobe variety in 2004, when Janet Jackson famously flashed a nipple while performing with Justin Timberlake in the halftime show, sending the FCC and viewers into a frenzy.