Canadian pop star justin bieber apologizes for Argentine flag controversy

Justin Bieber has caused an outrage in Argentina after he disrespected their flag during his wild tour through capital Buenos Aires. When fans tossed two Argentine flags onto the stage, unlike most musicians who hold up the flag in appreciation to their fans, the 19-year-old singer
“treated the flags like a dirty rags”, Stuff.co.nz reported.

The Baby hitmaker used his shoes and microphone stand to sweep them off the stage. According the laws of the nation, insulting the Argentine flag is a crime punishable by up to four years in prison.

While Bieber could technically face up to four years in prison for the act, the singer said it was all a big misunderstanding. Midway through performing at River Plate Stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Bieber said that he thought the flag was one of many T-shirts on the stage.

Footage of the war crime that will likely set U.S.-Argentinian relations back decades is below.

In what should be considered essential and not-at-all hyperbolic reporting, TMZ reached out to diplomatic officials at embassies in Buenos Aires and Washington. After presumably saying, “Huh? Who? Why are you calling me?,” they told the site that many people viewed the act as disrespectful.

Bieber tweeted that he “heard about what is going on with me down in Argentina and I’m shocked. I love Argentina and have had some of the best shows of my tour there.”

Bieber’s South American tour has been beset with controversy, as the singer was allegedly spotted leaving a Brazilian brothel and has come under fire for spraying graffiti supporting Chris Brown.