{"id":2048367,"date":"2026-07-17T14:20:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T11:20:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2048367"},"modified":"2026-07-17T14:20:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T11:20:28","slug":"the-cures-robert-smith-expands-on-his-please-just-fuck-off-post-about-chris-martins-world-cup-halftime-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2048367","title":{"rendered":"The Cure\u2019s Robert Smith expands on his \u201cplease just fuck off\u201d post about Chris Martin\u2019s World Cup halftime show"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TheCureRobertSmithWorldCupHalftimeShow-news-story.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"template-id-2749694\" class=\"post-2749694 tdb_templates type-tdb_templates status-publish post\">\n<div id=\"tdi_65\" class=\"tdc-zone\">\n<div class=\"tdc_zone tdi_66  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div id=\"tdi_67\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_68  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_70  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_breadcrumbs tdi_71 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-breadcrumbs \" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_71\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span>News<\/span><i class=\"tdb-bread-sep td-icon-right\"><\/i><span>Music News<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_title tdi_72 tdb-single-title td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_72\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">The Cure\u2019s Robert Smith expands on his \u201cplease just fuck off\u201d post about Chris Martin\u2019s World Cup halftime show<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_subtitle tdi_73 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_73\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>&#8220;Infantosser has said he and US President Trumpton will hand over [the] trophy on Sunday. Sadly, there are not enough a\u2019s left for the \u2018argh\u2019 that should follow\u2026&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_author tdi_75 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_75\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-author-name-wrap\"><span class=\"tdb-author-by\">By<\/span> Tom Skinner<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_date tdi_76 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 tdb-post-meta\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_76\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><time class=\"entry-date updated td-module-date\" datetime=\"2026-07-17T15:20:28+01:00\">17th July 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p> <!-- .\/block --><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tdi_77\" class=\"tdc-row stretch_row_1400 td-stretch-content\">\n<div class=\"vc_row tdi_78  wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_80  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span8\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_featured_image tdi_81 tdb-content-horiz-left td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_81\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<figure>\n                                    <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"696\" height=\"442\" class=\"entry-thumb\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TheCureRobertSmithWorldCupHalftimeShow-news-story-696x442.jpg\" alt=\"The Cure&apos;s Robert Smith performing live on stage, photo by Mark Holloway\/Redferns\/Getty\" title=\"TheCureRobertSmithWorldCupHalftimeShow-news-story\"><figcaption class=\"tdb-caption-text\">The Cure&#8217;s Robert Smith performs live. CREDIT: Mark Holloway\/Redferns\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_row_inner tdi_83 article-content-row vc_row vc_inner wpb_row td-pb-row\">\n<div class=\"vc_column_inner tdi_85  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-inner-column td-pb-span12\">\n<div class=\"vc_column-inner\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The Cure frontman Robert Smith has expanded on his criticism of the upcoming FIFA World Cup final halftime show.<\/p>\n<p>The first-ever official World Cup final halftime show will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this Sunday (July 19), with Madonna,\u00a0Justin Bieber,\u00a0Shakira\u00a0and\u00a0BTS all set to perform.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Read More:\u00a0<\/b><b>The Cure \u2013 \u2018Songs\u00a0Of\u00a0A\u00a0Lost World\u2019 review: a masterful reflection on loss<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Coldplay\u2019s\u00a0Chris Martin\u00a0is curating the 11-minute set, which is supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund \u2013 an initiative aiming to raise $100million to expand access to education and football for children worldwide.<\/p>\n<p>Yesterday (Thursday July 16), Smith posted a typically blunt response to the major slot on The Cure\u2019s official Instagram page. He took aim at FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in particular.<\/p>\n<p>The frontman called out how Infantino had described the show as a \u201cgroundbreaking spectacle\u201d that would \u201ccelebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Venting his frustrations at this, Smith signed off with: \u201cAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH\u2026 #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustfuckoff.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The singer has since elaborated on his stance in another post. \u201cSigh,\u201d Smith began, before writing in his signature all-caps style.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cFor those of us not quite getting it: the point is not really about who is curating or performing, it is about the #mugwank ideas of a football World Cup final half time show,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Da3x-T1Izbg\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cIf you now understand my \u2018aaaaaaagh!\u2019 a bit better, but still don\u2019t agree, please adjust your red cap, your \u2018I \ud83d\udda4 janny + donny + $$$\u2019 Tshirt and\u2026 knock yourself out? Onwards\u2026 RSX.<\/p>\n<p>He then went on to explain his reference to Donald Trump, sharing: \u201cPS. Infantosser has said he and US President Trumpton will hand over [the] trophy on Sunday. Sadly, there are not enough a\u2019s left for the \u2018argh\u2019 that should follow\u2026 #breadandcircuses #pleasejustfuckoff #fuckfifa #justlookup.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The comments after the confirmation that Trump would be attending this weekend\u2019s final between Spain and Argentina. Infantino has said the POTUS will hand the World Cup trophy to the winners with him in New Jersey (via <em>The Guardian<\/em>).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3898490\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3898490\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3898490\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/The_Cure-press-photo.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3898490\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Cure. CREDIT: Press<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cYes, hopefully we\u2019ll present the trophy together in the final,\u201d Infantino explained. \u201cThat\u2019s always been the plan, and that\u2019s how it\u2019s always been done in the past \u2013 the President of the country where the final is held presents the trophy together with the FIFA President.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last autumn, an\u00a0ICE propaganda post featuring The Cure\u2019s \u2018Friday I\u2019m In Love\u2019 was removed from social media after an official takedown request.<\/p>\n<p>In 2022, Smith responded to the controversy surrounding that year\u2019s World Cup being held in Qatar, joking: \u201cDespite the rumours [The Cure] will not be headlining the World Cup opening ceremony.\u201d Smith used the hashtag #breadandcircuses here, too.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, Liam Gallagher weighed in on England being knocked out in the World Cup semi-finals, while Mick Jagger went viral with a meme-worthy reaction to the team conceding to Argentina.<\/p>\n<p>In other news, Robbie Williams has shared a new version of the Official FIFA Anthem \u2018Desire\u2019 ahead of the World Cup final. He\u2019ll also take to the stage at the tournament\u2019s closing ceremony.<\/p>\n<p>The Cure\u00a0are\u00a0currently out on tour across the UK and Europe. Last week, they announced that Simon Gallup\u2019s son, Eden, would be filling in for the longtime bassist\u00a0after he was taken ill shortly before the first of their three shows in Berlin.<\/p>\n<p>The band recently performed at Open\u2019er in Poland, the Isle Of Wight Festival and more European events. They are scheduled to play huge outdoor shows in Manchester and Edinburgh next month. Find any remaining tickets here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_tags tdi_87 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_87\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<ul class=\"tdb-tags\">\n<li><span>Related Topics<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Chris Martin<\/li>\n<li>Coldplay<\/li>\n<li>Indie<\/li>\n<li>Robert Smith<\/li>\n<li>Rock<\/li>\n<li>The Cure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper td_block_wrap vc_raw_html tdi_89 \">\n<div class=\"td-fix-index\">\n<h3>You May Also Like<\/h3>\n<div id=\"taboola-below-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"vc_column tdi_91  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span4 td-is-sticky\">\n<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n<div class=\"td-a-rec td-a-rec-id-sidebar  tdi_92 td_block_template_2\">\n<p><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-sidebar-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div 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class=\"entry-thumb td-thumb-css\" data-type=\"css_image\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BRANDON_FLOWERS_2026_ChrisPhelps-400x254.jpg\" data-img-retina-url=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/BRANDON_FLOWERS_2026_ChrisPhelps-800x508.jpg\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"td-module-meta-info\">\n                    Music News<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"entry-title td-module-title\">Listen to Brandon Flowers\u2019 jaunty new single \u2018Paradise\u2019<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>                    <span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span><\/span><span class=\"td-page-meta\"><\/span>                <\/article>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"td_block_wrap tdb_single_content tdi_86 td-pb-border-top td_block_template_2 td-post-content tagdiv-type\" data-td-block-uid=\"tdi_86\">\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<p>The Cure frontman Robert Smith has expanded on his criticism of the upcoming FIFA World Cup final halftime show.<\/p>\n<p>The first-ever official World Cup final halftime show will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey this Sunday (July 19), with Madonna,\u00a0Justin Bieber,\u00a0Shakira\u00a0and\u00a0BTS all set to perform.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Read More:\u00a0<\/b><b>The Cure \u2013 \u2018Songs\u00a0Of\u00a0A\u00a0Lost World\u2019 review: a masterful reflection on loss<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad0 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Coldplay\u2019s\u00a0Chris Martin\u00a0is curating the 11-minute set, which is supporting the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund \u2013 an initiative aiming to raise $100million to expand access to education and football for children worldwide.<\/p>\n<p>Yesterday (Thursday July 16), Smith posted a typically blunt response to the major slot on The Cure\u2019s official Instagram page. He took aim at FIFA President Gianni Infantino, in particular.<\/p>\n<p>The frontman called out how Infantino had described the show as a \u201cgroundbreaking spectacle\u201d that would \u201ccelebrate football, music and our shared values, ensuring a legacy that transcends the final whistle\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Venting his frustrations at this, Smith signed off with: \u201cAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH\u2026 #Breadandcircuses #MUGWANK #pleasejustfuckoff.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The singer has since elaborated on his stance in another post. \u201cSigh,\u201d Smith began, before writing in his signature all-caps style.<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad1 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\"><\/span><\/p>\n<h5 class=\"taboola-mid-article-title\">Recommended<\/h5>\n<div id=\"taboola-mid-article\">\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\u201cFor those of us not quite getting it: the point is not really about who is curating or performing, it is about the #mugwank ideas of a football World Cup final half time show,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/Da3x-T1Izbg\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u201cIf you now understand my \u2018aaaaaaagh!\u2019 a bit better, but still don\u2019t agree, please adjust your red cap, your \u2018I \ud83d\udda4 janny + donny + $$$\u2019 Tshirt and\u2026 knock yourself out? Onwards\u2026 RSX.<\/p>\n<p>He then went on to explain his reference to Donald Trump, sharing: \u201cPS. Infantosser has said he and US President Trumpton will hand over [the] trophy on Sunday. Sadly, there are not enough a\u2019s left for the \u2018argh\u2019 that should follow\u2026 #breadandcircuses #pleasejustfuckoff #fuckfifa #justlookup.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"td-a-ad id_inline_ad2 id_ad_content-horiz-center\"><span class=\"td-adspot-title\">Advertisement<\/span>  <\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-article-2\" class=\"lazy-ad\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The comments after the confirmation that Trump would be attending this weekend\u2019s final between Spain and Argentina. Infantino has said the POTUS will hand the World Cup trophy to the winners with him in New Jersey (via <em>The Guardian<\/em>).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3898490\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3898490\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-3898490\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/The_Cure-press-photo.jpg\" alt width=\"2000\" height=\"1270\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3898490\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Cure. CREDIT: Press<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cYes, hopefully we\u2019ll present the trophy together in the final,\u201d Infantino explained. \u201cThat\u2019s always been the plan, and that\u2019s how it\u2019s always been done in the past \u2013 the President of the country where the final is held presents the trophy together with the FIFA President.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Last autumn, an\u00a0ICE propaganda post featuring The Cure\u2019s \u2018Friday I\u2019m In Love\u2019 was removed from social media after an official takedown request.<\/p>\n<p>In 2022, Smith responded to the controversy surrounding that year\u2019s World Cup being held in Qatar, joking: \u201cDespite the rumours [The Cure] will not be headlining the World Cup opening ceremony.\u201d Smith used the hashtag #breadandcircuses here, too.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Elsewhere, Liam Gallagher weighed in on England being knocked out in the World Cup semi-finals, while Mick Jagger went viral with a meme-worthy reaction to the team conceding to Argentina.<\/p>\n<p>In other news, Robbie Williams has shared a new version of the Official FIFA Anthem \u2018Desire\u2019 ahead of the World Cup final. He\u2019ll also take to the stage at the tournament\u2019s closing ceremony.<\/p>\n<p>The Cure\u00a0are\u00a0currently out on tour across the UK and Europe. Last week, they announced that Simon Gallup\u2019s son, Eden, would be filling in for the longtime bassist\u00a0after he was taken ill shortly before the first of their three shows in Berlin.<\/p>\n<p>The band recently performed at Open\u2019er in Poland, the Isle Of Wight Festival and more European events. They are scheduled to play huge outdoor shows in Manchester and Edinburgh next month. Find any remaining tickets here.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/news\/music\/the-cures-robert-smith-expands-on-his-please-just-fuck-off-post-about-chris-martins-world-cup-halftime-show-3957577&#8243;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.nme.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/TheCureRobertSmithWorldCupHalftimeShow-news-story.jpg&#8221;] NewsMusic News The Cure\u2019s Robert Smith expands on his \u201cplease just fuck off\u201d post about Chris Martin\u2019s World Cup halftime show &#8220;Infantosser has said he and US President Trumpton will hand over [the] trophy on Sunday. Sadly, there are not enough a\u2019s left for the \u2018argh\u2019 that should follow\u2026&#8221; By Tom Skinner [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,78],"class_list":["post-2048367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-nme-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048367","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2048367"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048367\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2048367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2048367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2048367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}