Latest news with #EurovisionSongContest2024
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Are votes for Eurovision 2025 'rigged'? Here's why countries are asking for audits
Image credits: Getty Images The Israel-Hamas war has caused distress and loss not only to the countries and their citizens but also to the lives and careers of people. In 2024, singer Eden Golan represented Israel at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. However, the country's participation was called out for bans by human rights activists and countries to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) due to Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip. Additionally, Golan's performance during the entire contest was met with booing. Now, in 2025, singer Yuval Raphael , who is also a survivor of the attacks that took place in the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, is representing the country at the song contest. While Raphael's participation as well was met with backlash and a petition signed by former Eurovision contestants demanding a ban on Israel's participation, the singer, on the contrary, has been topping the voting charts. On Saturday, Raphael topped the viewer vote with her song 'New Day Will Rise' but finished second to Austria once the jury scores were also taken into account. After this revelation, broadcasters of the contest in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Iceland and Finland have raised concerns and questions about the public vote, with some even asking for audits. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Semua yang Perlu Anda Ketahui Tentang Limfoma Limfoma Pelajari Undo Are votes for Eurovision 2025 rigged? Image credits: Getty Images The EBU dismissed any allegations of voter fraud in the contest but noted that it had received a number of such queries and that it "takes their concerns seriously" In a written statement, Eurovision director Martin Green emphasised "that the voting operation for the Eurovision Song Contest is the most advanced in the world and each country's result is checked and verified by a huge team of people to exclude any suspicious or irregular voting patterns. An independent compliance monitor reviews both jury and public vote data to ensure we have a valid result.' Green also quoted the contest's voting partner Once, writing that it had confirmed that a "valid vote" was recorded in all countries participating in this year's Grand Final and in the Rest of the World." While the contest has concluded with Austria's JJ winning for her song 'Wasted Love', Green has shared that he will be having a broad discussion with participating broadcasters to get feedback on all aspects of this year's event as part of the planning process for the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in 2026.
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Eurovision makes huge rule change after red-faced boss faced hostile boos
As the Eurovision Song Contest week kicks off in Basel, Switzerland, before the grand finale on Saturday, the rules for verifying the results have changed 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.
