Madonna blasted as 'ruder than Gary Neville and Chuck Norris' in bizarre Malawi government statement

Madonna blasted as 'ruder than Gary Neville and Chuck Norris' in bizarre Malawi government statement

The government of Malawi yesterday launched an astonishing attack on Madonna â€" and claimed footballers Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand have better manners than the pop star.

Madonna was in the central African country last week to see the work of her charity, Raising Malawi.

Reports said she was left fuming after being snubbed by president Joyce Banda and having to queue with economy passengers at the airport as she flew out of the capital Lilongwe.

The government blasted back at the Material Girl singer and her entourage.

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They said: “If the argument is that because she is an internationally renowned star, Madonna believes she deserved to be treated differently from other visiting foreigners, it is worth making her aware that Malawi has hosted many international stars, including Chuck Norris, Bono, David James, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville who have never demanded state attention or decorum despite their equally dazzling stature.”

The statement added: “In the feeling of Madonna, the Malawi government and its leadership should have rolled out a red carpet and blasted the 21-gun salute in her honour because she believes that as a musician, the whiff of whose repute flies across international boundaries, she automatically is a candidate for VIP treatment.”

The government also accused Madonna of demanding gratitude for adopting two children from Malawi.

The singer adopted David Banda, now seven, in 2006 and daughter Mercy James, also seven, in 2009.

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It said: “Granted, Madonna has adopted two children from Malawi. According to the record, this gesture was humanitarian and of her accord.

"It therefore comes across as strange and depressing that for a humanitarian act, prompted only by her, Madonna wants Malawi to be for ever chained to the obligation of gratitude.

“Kindness, as far as its ordinary meaning is concerned, is free and anonymous. If it can’t be free and silent, it is not kindness.”

Madonna’s representatives were not available for comment last night.

However, reports suggest she 'remains committed to helping the children of Malawi'.