While everyone is all too aware of the issues that have arisen in the past week regarding Russia’s artist Yulia Samoylova and the Ukrainian authorities banning her from entering the country, it seems that today has thrown up a major development in the story, with the potential of sanctions or a ban from the contest arising for any countries deemed to have broken the competition’s rules.
Earlier today, many news sites reported on the comments of outgoing EBU Director General Ingrid Deltenre that the “behaviour of Ukraine is absolutely unacceptable”, while currently trying to reach an agreement with key people in the country’s government. With Deltenre currently in the process of stepping down from her role in the summer, it is unknown how much credence her comments will have within the organisation.
Now, it seems that the EBU has confirmed they are looking into the behaviour of some countries and their respect towards the rules of the contest. The EBU reportedly told the Russian news agency TASS that;
“According to normal procedure, if it is found that any broadcaster has violated the competition rules, it will be considered by the steering committee and reference group upon the contest’s completion in May”
Many have taken this to mean that Ukraine could be facing retrospective action following their hosting of the contest in May. With rehearsals set to begin in a month and stage construction mere days away, it is incredibly unlikely the EBU would make more disruptive moves to change hosting arrangements.
- Yulia Samoylova banned from Ukraine and ultimately Eurovision
- Ukraine bans Yulia: International reaction
- Yulia Samoylova might perform in ESC via satellite, the EBU says
- Podcast: The NeverEnding Story of Russia and Ukraine
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