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EBU to decide on sanctioning Ukraine for Eurovision withdrawal after contest

On February 27, UA:PBC announced it withdrew from Eurovision 2019 "due to excessive politicization of the national selection"

© AP Photo/Armando Franca

GENEVA, March 15. /TASS/. The question of whether Ukraine should be fined or sanctioned for its refusal to participate in Eurovision-2019 will be settled after the song contest is over, EBU Senior Communications Officer Dave Goodman told TASS on Thursday.

"The EBU and [broadcaster of the host nation, Israel] KAN are focused on making this year’s Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) a truly spectacular event. Any further decisions on UA:PBC’s withdrawal will be made after the event," he said, answering to a question of possible measures against the Ukrainian broadcaster for its refusal to participate.

He said the decision will be made "in consultation with the ESC Reference Group (the Contest’s governing body)."

"In the meantime we look forward to welcoming all the participating countries to Tel Aviv in May," Goodman said.

When Ukrainian singer Maruv (Anna Korsun) came in first in the national selection on January 22, the National Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine came forward with a package of harsh demands to her, including political ones. As a result, Maruv and the National Public Broadcasting Company (UA:PBC) failed to sign the contract that would allow her to take part in the contest. Other bands participating in the national selection, such as Freedom Jazz, Kazka, and Brunettes Shoot Blondes, also refused to sign the deal out of solidarity with other participants.

On February 27, UA:PBC announced it had decided to withdraw from Eurovision 2019 "due to excessive politicization of the national selection."

The semifinals and the final of the 64th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Israel on may 14-18.

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