Eurovision 2024: Updates on disqualification, flag ban, artist complaints and EBU response

The Eurovision Grand Final may be over but the fallout continues.

We've put together a brief update on many of the issues that have results from the Contest.

Joost Klein situation

The Associated Press (AP) has reported Swedish police had concluded their investigation and that decision on charges would come "within weeks."

Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet has reported that Joost has become distressed by photographers and when one was close raised his arm with a fist and lunged at them.

AP also reported that the Malmo newspaper The Sydsvenska Daily stated that conviction of the crime of making threat usually leads to a fine.

Flag bans - EU and winner Nemo speak out

All flags of non-participating were banned for the Grand Final. This saw flags of the European Union (EU) and non-binary flags removed from fans. The rainbow flag was allowed.

The EU responded to the ban with Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas stating:

It’s mind-blowing, what the EBU did,”

Before adding:

“I will talk to them. I won’t let this pass. I will seek explanations and clarifications.”

The EBU stated to Politico that the same rules applies in 2023 but evidence shows this was clearly enforced differently in 2023.

Eurovision winner Nemo had to smuggle their non-binary flag into the arena. At the winner's press conference they said:

"I had to smuggle my flag in because… Eurovision said no, and I did it anyway, so… I hope that other people did that too, but come on! Like, this is clearly a double standard."

This was illustrated when the official Eurovision account tweeted Nemo with the flag using the caption "Non-binary finery."

Clearly different teams within Eurovision / EBU are responsible for different content but the view from fans was one of clear double standards and this was made clear in the comments on social media.

Portugal - formal complaints on upload delay and fake cheering

The Portuguese broadcaster RTP has issues a formal complaint over the video used of Iolanda after the Grand Final.

Instead of uploading her Grand Final performance to YouTube and Instagram during the show, her semi-final video was used instead. The EBU stated this was because of 'pro-Palestinian elements’ in the performance.

Iolanda had her nails painted in a design inspired by the traditional Palestinian scarves 'keffiyeh.'

The performance was eventually uploaded.

They are also seeking explanation on the use of possible anti-booing technology and fake applause.

Nicolau Santos from RTP said:

"“For an organization like the EBU, and for an organization like RTP and the European public media service whose flag is the fight against fake news, misinformation, and information manipulation, it is unacceptable that this is possible. Using this method distorts reality.”

Artist complains - "Fuck the EBU"

Bambie Thug

Speaking to the press after the Grand Final, Bambie Thug from Ireland made their thoughts known.

“I’m so proud of Nemo winning. I’m so proud that all of us are in the top 10 that have been fighting for this shit behind the scenes because it has been so hard and so horrible for us," they said.

"We are what the Eurovision is. The EBU is not what the Eurovision is. Fuck the EBU. I don’t even care anymore. Fuck them."

"The thing that makes this is the contestants, the community behind it, the love and the power and the support of all of us is what is making change."

Silvester Belt

The Lithuanian artist who came on after Israel, took to X to explain the impact it had on him.

"Going after that country, with the crowd being so intense, was one of the worst things I had to go through, I really did the best that I could in this situation…traumatic experience, wish it all ended after the first semi," he said.

Gåte

In an interview with Aftenposten, Gåte’s guitarist Magnus Børmark revealed that the band almost withdrew from Eurovision 2024. They and several other artists had crisis talks with the EBU in the lead up to the Grand Final.

The guitarist shared their overall experience:

"I'm glad we went but we had to take on more responsibility that we should have. We as artists are there because of the values of the event. When the EBU fails to live up to these values, the artists must bear them," he said.

"It seemed as if there was one set of rules for Israel, another for the rest."

EBU response

Following complaints about the behaviour of the Israel delegation, most notably from Ireland, the EBU released a statement.

"We regret that some delegations at the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Malmö didn’t respect the spirit of the rules and the competition both onsite and during their broadcasts."

We spoke to a number of delegations during the event regarding various issues that were brought to our attention.

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.

Individual cases will be discussed by the event’s governing body, the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group made up of representatives from participating broadcasters, at its next meeting.”

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No doubt more news and views are to come and we will continue to update you as more information comes in.

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