RUSSIA could have bugged the World Cup football which Vladimir Putin handed to Donald Trump, security experts have dramatically claimed.

The Russian leader gave the US President the gift during one of the lighter moments of their summit in Helsinki, Finland.

8 Trump appeared to be in playful mood during the press conference Credit: AFP or licensors

But TMZ has spoken to unnamed “security experts” who claim it would have been easy for Kremlin spy wizards to rig the ball with a listening device.

In fact, the surveillance boffins told the news outlet that such a device can be stitched into fabric and would be difficult to detect.

Such a gadget could last for one month without a power source and would be even harder to notice if it was switched on remotely after White House security checked the ball.

The sources claim listening bugs are now non-metallic and could pass through detectors.

8 Putin started the ball rolling Credit: Reuters

8 Trump posed with the ball before throwing it to the First Lady Credit: AP:Associated Press

8 Melania was all smiles as she held the ball Credit: Reuters

8 Melania was sat in the front row Credit: Reuters

8 The Senator tweeted his concerns about the football

Trump said he would be giving the ball to his 12-year-old son Barron – who is a big footy fan and supports Arsenal.

Also, the New York property tycoon enjoys collecting sports memorabilia although the Secret Service are unlikely to let him keep his latest collector’s item.

US Senator Lindsey Graham was the first to speak out after the Kremlin strongman handed Trump what could be a miniature Trojan horse.

8 The trio posed with the ball after the press conference Credit: Getty - Contributor

8 The two world leaders met at the Presidential Palace in Helsinki, Finland Credit: Getty - Contributor

I just saw a US Secret Service agent put the soccer ball Putin gave Trump through a security scanner outside the Pres. Palace. He didn’t smile when I joked about it. — Bill Neely (@BillNeelyNBC) July 16, 2018

He tweeted: “Finally, if it were me, I’d check the soccer ball for listening devices and never allow it in the White House.”

During the joint press conference, Putin pulled out a red-and-white ball and tossed it over to Trump who was standing at the podium next to him.

Melania was seen laughing along at the joke and sat smiling in the front row.

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The gift seems to have caused a slight security concern as Secret Service agent put the ball through a security scanner, according to Bill Neely, NBC News correspondent.

He wrote on Twitter: "I just saw a US Secret Service agent put the soccer ball Putin gave Trump through a security scanner outside the Pres. Palace. He didn’t smile when I joked about it."