MIA is allegedly on the verge of being handed a six-figure fine for giving a middle-finger salute during her performance with Madonna at the Super Bowl.

The controversial gesture during Sunday's Half Time show could be bad news for her, good news for the potentially massive swear jar.

Television network NBC and sports association NFL have been subtly placing blame with each-other for the incident, with the former saying "the NFL hired the talent and produced the half-time show," whilst the latter responded: "There was a failure in NBC's delay system.

"The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologise."

TMZ reports that 36-year-old Londoner MIA is being held responsible for her own behaviour, and it will be her personal bank account that will feel the wrath of the United States' Federal Communications Commission if they choose to punish her.

A source close to the 'XXXO' rapper told ABC News Radio that she was "caught up in the moment", and hadn't meant "to make any kind of statement".

US network CBS was nearly forced to pay a £348,000 ($550,000) fine after Janet Jackson's famous wardrobe malfunction in 2004.

Madonna is allegedly unhappy with MIA for stealing her thunder. Ouch!