Russia has been banned from participating in the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest.
Officials from the European Broadcasting Union confirmed the move in a statement shared on social media, insisting the country’s participation threatened to “bring the competition into disrepute”.
“The Executive Board of the EBU made the decision following a recommendation earlier today by the Eurovision Song Contest’s governing body, the Reference Group, based on the rules of the event and the values of the EBU,” the organisation said.
Statement from @EBU_HQ regarding Russia's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.https://t.co/HmKJdqVE4J pic.twitter.com/tVH6yFxzbq
— Eurovision Song Contest (@Eurovision) February 25, 2022
“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 move comes following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, after which Finland threatened to boycott the event and other European public broadcasters called for Russia to be expelled.
The 66th Eurovision contest is due to be held in Turin in May after rockers Maneskin triumphed in the 2021 edition.
