Organisers of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest have said they ‘regret’ that some delegations ‘didn’t respect the spirit of the rules’.
Ireland’s Bambie Thug and Italy’s Angelina Mango are among the contestants who complained about a ‘tense’ atmosphere backstage.
Pro-Palestine Irish act Bambie launched into a furious row about their ‘horrible’ experience on the show after placing behind Israel in the final.
This year’s show was perhaps the most controversial ever, with some acts hiding messages in support of Palestine in their costumes amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Dutch singer Joost Klein was also ordered to go home after being accused of intimidating behaviour by a female member of the production crew.
In a statement, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs Eurovision, have addressed that some contestants lodged complaints.
‘We spoke to a number of delegations during the event regarding various issues that were brought to our attention,’ the statement said.
Pro-Palestine Irish act Bambie Thug (top) launched into a furious row about their ‘horrible’ experience on the show after placing behind Israel in the final
Dutch singer Joost Klein (pictured) was sent home after being accused of intimidating behaviour by a female member of the production crew
Italy’s Angelina Mango (pictured) is among the contestants who complained about a ‘tense’ atmosphere backstage
Eden Golan from Israel enters the stage during the opening ceremony of The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 Grand Final
‘The EBU’s governing bodies will, together with the heads of delegations, review the events surrounding the ESC in Malmö to move forward in a positive way and to ensure the values of the event are respected by everyone.’
After the grand final, Bambie, who has publicly shared their pro-Palestinian views, accused Israel’s national broadcaster, KAN, of ‘inciting violence’ against them during its coverage.
Meanwhile, the 27-nation European Union criticised organisers for their ‘incoherence’ in banning its flag from the concert hall during the final.
In an unusually sharp letter, EU Commission vice president Margaritis Schinas wrote to the Swiss-based European Broadcast Union, which organises the contest, saying its ban contributes to ‘discrediting a symbol that brings together all Europeans’.
In a contest already full of controversy, the European Commission said it plans ‘a very lively discussion’ with the organisers over the ban.
Even though the 27-nation EU did not compete as such, many of its member states did, and the star-spangled blue flag is often seen as a unifier for all involved.
Mr Schinas wrote that ‘such actions have cast a shadow over what is meant to be a joyous occasion for peoples across Europe and the world to come together in celebration’.
Bambie launched into a furious rant about their ‘horrible’ experience on the show after placing behind Israel in the final
One of the most talked about performers was Ireland’s Bambi – who accused Eurovision bosses of ‘not supporting’ them amid a row with Israel over comments made about them by a broadcaster
Bambie Thug finished in a respectable sixth place, as Switzerland’s non-binary star Nemo soared to victory
The flag is on show at countless events and across the EU nations and often flies alongside the national colours from tiny city halls to massive governmental buildings.
Mr Schinas was especially bitter since the ban came only a month ahead of EU-wide parliamentary elections where the EU as an institution is an object of fierce debate and often attacked by extremist parties.
‘The incoherence in the EBU’s stance has left myself and many millions of your viewers wondering for what and for whom the Eurovision Song Contest stands,’ the letter said.
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Eurovision's pro-Palestine Irish act Bambie Thug launches into furious rant about 'horrible' experience on the show and claims an Israeli broadcaster 'incited violence against me'
During the week-long contest, organisers were already roiled by the protests linked to the war in Gaza and Israel’s participation in the event on top of the controversial disqualification of the Dutch participant over an incident which was never fully explained.
Ahead of the final, a spokesperson for the European Broadcasting Union said ticket holders are only allowed to bring and display flags representing participating countries, as well as the rainbow-coloured flag which is a symbol for LGBTQ+ communities.
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with The Code, an operatic pop-rap ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing a non-gender identity.
One of the most talked about performers was Ireland’s Bambi – who accused Eurovision bosses of ‘not supporting’ them amid a row with Israel over comments made about them by a broadcaster.
Bambie finished in a respectable sixth place, as Switzerland’s non-binary star Nemo soared to victory.
But at a press conference after the final, they fumed about an incident with Israeli broadcaster Kan and the EBU’s response, exclaiming: ‘F*** the EBU.’
Bambie, who self-describes as a ‘queer witch’, told journalists in the press centre that Kan ‘incited violence against me twice, three times’, and that their team had brought it up to the EBU, but that the organiser had still not responded.
They accused the Israeli broadcaster, Kan, of a rule break and said they have been waiting to hear back from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about what action would be taken.
On Tuesday, a commentator on Kan warned viewers that Bambie’s performance of their song, Doomsday Blue, would be ‘the most scary’ of the night, involving ‘a lot of spells and black magic and dark clothing, Satanic symbols, and voodoo dolls’.
He went on to say that Bambie – who has been outspoken about their pro-Palestine views – liked to ‘speak negatively about Israel’, before adding: ‘But we can talk about that later. Prepare your curses.’
The EBU said in a statement regarding the Kan commentary: ‘We’ve spoken to KAN, the Israeli broadcaster, about this matter and reiterated the importance of all commentators respecting all the artists taking part in the competition and abiding by the rules and regulations of the event.’