Eurovision makes huge rule change after red-faced boss faced hostile boos
The Eurovision Song Contest has made a major rule change just days before the contest's grand finale on Saturday. A whole host of starry-eyed hopefuls, including the UK's Remember Monday, are hoping to be declared champions in Basel in Switzerland in one of most hotly contested competitions to date.
Usually, when the results are in, Eurovision boss Martin Österdahl and members of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) verify the votes live from the judging room in view of the audience. However, after a cacophony of boos last year when Österdahl appeared on screen, the process will now be carried out backstage - which according to a spokesperson for Eurovision - 'frees up more seats inside the arena so more people can see the live shows'.
During the final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, Österdahl was subject to significant booing following the controversies that had emerged during the contest, including backlash over the decision to disqualify Dutch representative Joost Klein earlier that day.
The decision by the EBU to axe Klein resulted in Dutch Eurovision broadcaster AVROTROS branding the punishment as "disproportionate" and several fans were upset he was given his marching orders while Israel's Eden Golan was allowed to participate.
When Eurovision presenter Malin Akerman headed to the EBU boss ahead of revealing the finale's results, the crowd broke into a blanket of almost deafening boos.
Taking to X, as this year's contest gets underway, broadcaster, Scotty Bryan, updated fans on the rule change today, sharing a snap of the EBU team from backstage, writing: "Following boos at last year's contest, it appears Martin Österdahl and the EBU team now verify the results from backstage, rather than in the room itself."
He added: "Martin's Eurovision catchphrase 'you're good to go' is now said by the presenters." When contacted by the Mirror, a spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest said the change was to maximise the number of fans who can see the live shows, explaining: "The Scrutineer's Desk is located outside the arena to make more seats available inside and maximize the number of fans who can see the shows."
Commenting on the rule change, one fan teased the new backstage set-up "looked like the VAR room in Geneva", referencing the Video Assistant Referee process where a team of officials, usually in football, review decisions made by the main referee using video footage.
Meanwhile, another accused Österdahl of being a "coward" who "didn't want to face any more booing". As the Eurovision Song Contest week kicks off, Basel could become a hotspot for protests due to Israel's participation, which continues to spark outrage amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict. The city is set to host the 2025 contest following Switzerland's Nemo's victory last May in Sweden with their song 'The Code'.
Around 1,300 Swiss police officers are expected to be on duty in Basel this week, bolstered by additional forces from the Swiss Armed Forces, federal police and neighbouring countries – Germany and France.
This comes ahead of the semi-finals on Thursday, and the grand final on Saturday at which UK act, Remember Monday will be going for gold.
Adrian Plachesi, head of communications for Basel police, told PA news agency that they are aware such events could pose an "increased risk of terror attacks" from extremists. They are also keeping an eye out for potential "cyber attacks" on the city's infrastructure.
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