Justin Bieber Apologizes For Argentina Flag Storm
Justin Bieber has apologized on Twitter for causing offence with the Argentine flag during one of his shows in Buenos Aires over the weekend.
The 19-year-old made his apology on Twitter to over 47 million followers on Thursday, Nov. 14.
Bieber’s apology comes after a storm that erupted after video footage of his Saturday show in Argentina’s capital showed the singer sweeping two Argentine flags that had been thrown onto the stage, with his foot and the end of his microphone stand.
The video was titled “Justin Bieber barre el suelo con una bandera Argentina,” which translates as “Justin Bieber sweeps the floor with an Argentine flag.”
It has since racked up over 1 million views and triggered a ferocious debate in comments posted underneath.
The Associated Press reported insults to the country’s flag are punishable by up to four years in prison and noted:
“Argentines are expressing outrage over the latest scandal to emerge from Justin Bieber’s wild tour through Buenos Aires, saying the way he treated the Argentine flag shows he has no respect for his fans or the country.”
However, in his apology Justin said he was “shocked” at the reaction and hadn’t intended to cause any offence or disrespect his fans, or Argentina.
He explained that he thought the item thrown was a shirt, adding that he hoped his mistake would be forgiven.
heard about what is going on with me down in Argentina and im shocked. I love Argentina and have had some of the best shows of my tour there
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
people throw stuff on my stage all show and i get it to the stage hands to get off so no one got hurt. that video i saw a bra and thought…
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
…it was a shirt. Im being told by my team it was a shirt but even if it was a flag I would never do anything to disrespect Argentina…
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
…or the people of Argentina or the fans. Im so sorry for anyone who took my actions the wrong way and I hope you can forgive this mistake
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
so once again to the people of Argentina. Im sorry if that was taken the wrong way and im sorry for my mistake. I hope u can accept this..
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
..and I loved my time there performing for you and look forward to coming back. I gave my all and I know the fans did there too. te amo
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
I would never do anything to disrespect my fans. I dont like having to defend myself but this time it was needed as I mean no disrespect
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) November 14, 2013
The Canadian ended his apology by thanking his fans, known as “Beliebers,” for standing by him.
The young star has just completed a turbulent South America leg of his Believe world tour and cut short two concerts during the stint.
One of these was in Brazil after a plastic bottle was thrown at him during his show. The teen singer also stopped his second Buenos Aires concert after succumbing to food poisoning, but attempted to perform for nearly an hour.
Bieber has now returned to Los Angeles and is on a break before resuming in Mexico City on Nov 18.
As Complex.com also notes, now that Justin has apologized and accepted that offence was caused — despite mistaking the flag for a shirt — perhaps cooler heads will decide it’s time to move on from berating a young performer for a “jokey” way of dealing with a persistent and dangerous problem of items being thrown onto stages he plays.
