Eurovision bosses try to defend banning EU flag after immense backlash (2024)

An email sent from the Eurovision Broadcasting Union has appeared to defend the banning of the EU flag at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The 2024 competition in Malmo, Sweden, which sawSwitzerland’s Nemo win and the UK’s entry Olly Alexander come in 18th place, has been shrouded in controversy and sparked immense uproar.

From the outset, fans threatened to boycott and urged artists including Years & Years singer Olly andIreland’s Bambie Thugto do the same, overIsrael’s participation in the competitionamid the ongoing war against Hamas which has killed more than 35,000 people in Gaza, in figures obtained byAl Jazeera.

And there was drama behind-the-scenes too, with Dutch artist Joost Klein shockingly axed hours before the grand final after acomplaint of inappropriate behaviour, and is now said to be likely facing charges, while Italy’s act Angelina Mango and Bambie were amongst contestants speaking out about tensions off-stage.

Malmo was also covered in protests, and things only got worse by the ban of the Palestinian and European Union flags, with European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas later lodging an official complaint over the refusal to allow EU flags.

‘With the EU being targeted by malicious and authoritarian actors, EBU’s decision contributed to discrediting a symbol that brings together all Europeans,’ he said in his complaint, demanding that the broadcaster ‘explain the rationale behind this decision and attribute responsibility where it is due’.

He went on, according to the BBC: ‘The incoherence in the EBU’s stance left myself and millions of viewers wondering for what and for whom the Eurovision Song Contest stands.’

Schinas has now revealed the response he was sent, but fans have said it’s ‘not good enough’.

The response reads: ‘The Eurovision Song Contest shares the same values of universality, diversity, equality and inclusivity as the European Union itself.

‘The EBU has a proud tradition of celebration diversity through music and in bringing European citizens together.’

It goes on: ‘We are proud each year to organize a truly inclusive show that is the most watched (non-sport) entertainment event in Europe.

‘At the same time, the management and logistics for a show of this size and complexity present certain challenges. In that respect, we take utmost regard of your concerns with respect to the EU flag this year.’

The letter clarifies that ‘there has never been an express ban on the EU flag’ and highlights that it has been ‘clearly visible’ in past years.

It goes on: ‘However, our general approach to flags at the venue each year has always been based on a positive, inclusive list of the flags of participating countries and the rainbow flag.

‘It is the case that in 2024, as a result of the sensitive global political context and serious security risks on-site, the list of accepted participating country flags, along with all other security policies, was applied more strictly than ever at the entrance to the venue.’

The letter concludes by insisting that it was ‘never our intention to discredit the European Union flag as such an important symbol of European unity and solidarity’, and claims the policy will be revisited for the next year.

Attaching the letter in full, Schinas wrote: ‘I appreciate the positive reply from @EBU_HQ regarding my concerns raised on the ban of the EU flag during the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. United by Music United by our Flag.’

His followers were not so convinced though, with @niallhoran saying: ‘Their response is not good enough tbh ! The head of the EBU and the Exec Supervisor of Eurovision need to resign immediately.’

@ctotterdell said: ‘I think this is a very poor response. They say “we didn’t ban the flag” and then say “we enforced the rules of just national flags + pride flag”. Which is it, was it allowed or not, and if not can this be acknowledged as wrong.’

@oO_Freaky_Oo added: ‘This is nowhere NEAR enough of a response,’ while @hanavrose commented: ‘He dismissed your concerns entirely.’

This isn’t the first statement the European Broadcasting Union have put out after the controversy this year.

Following complaints from contestants, they admitted they ‘regret’ that ‘delegations didn’t respect the spirit of the rules’.

In a statement, they said: ‘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.’

Winner Nemo also blasted Eurovision organisers after audience members were banned from bringing non-binary flags into the arena.

‘I had to smuggle my flag in because Eurovision said no, but I did it anyway, so I hope some people did that too,’ they told press. ‘But, I mean, come on, this is clearly a double standard.’

They later took aim again at Eurovision bosses, after breaking their trophy and commenting: ‘The trophy can be fixed – maybe Eurovision needs fixing a little bit too, every now and then.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Olly Alexander is claiming his devastating Eurovision loss as ‘iconic’ despite crushing disappointment

MORE : How the UK can win Eurovision 2025

MORE : Olly Alexander’s dad thinks Eurovision disaster 2024 is actually ‘fantastic’ for him