Russia Has Now Been Booted From Eurovision For Invading Ukraine

[RandySF]

Organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest reversed course on Friday, announcing that Russia would no longer be permitted to perform in this year's event.

"The decision reflects concern that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute," the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said in a statement.

The decision to punish Russia culturally for invading Ukraine comes a day after the same group had said Moscow would be allowed to send an act to appear at the next Eurovision, scheduled to be held in Turin, Italy, in May.

Ukraine's public broadcasting company had asked for Russia to be suspended from the popular contest, which is watched by almost 200 million people each year.

But the EBU, which has organized the contest since 1956, had insisted Eurovision was "a non-political cultural event."



https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidmack/eurovision-ban-russia?bftwnews&utm_term=4ldqpgc#4ldqpgc

[leftieNanner]

1. They had a major football (soccer) tournament yanked too.

These will touch Putin's fragile ego, perhaps like nothing else will.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. This isn't "political". This is war. And, btw, why not pull all of Russia's Olympic...

medals and forbid them from competing for a while?

[lefthandedskyhook]

3. So sorry for the Russian people and even the poor soldiers

war sux

[world wide wally]

4. The Olympic Committee should be acting to ban Russia right now.

Not 3 years from now.