Bambie Thug has accused the Eurovision Song Contest organisers of not supporting them over a row with Israel.
Bambie, who is from Macroom in Co Cork, finished in sixth place with a total of 278 points (combined jury and public votes) following their performance of Doomsday Blue in the Grand Final on Saturday night.
They are the first Irish act to make it out of the semi-finals since Ryan O’Shaughnessy in 2018.
It comes after Bambie, who has been outspoken about their pro-Palestine views, accused the Israeli broadcaster, Kan, of a rule break and said they have been waiting to hear back from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), who organise the Eurovision Song Contest, about what action will be taken.
Speaking at a press conference following the Grand Final Bambie said: “So now that I’m free. I can talk about everything right?
“We brought it [rule break] up to the EBU. They said they would follow up.
“They waited to the last minute, we still haven’t gotten a statement back to us, [they] allowed us to be scapegoats, allowed us to be the spokesperson for standing up for ourselves.
“And yeah, the broadcaster [Kan] has disobeyed the rules and I hope next year they won’t be able to compete because of that.
“And behind the scenes, you don’t know the amount of pressure and the amount of work that we have been doing to change things and I’m so proud for Nemo for winning,
“I’m so proud that all of us are in the top 10 that have been fighting for this s*** behind the scenes. Because it’s been so hard and I’m so proud of us.
“I just want to say we are what Eurovision, the EBU is not what the Eurovision, the EBU is what makes this, f*** them, the EBU I don’t even care anymore.”
Bambie also called the Eurovision “stressful” and said what makes the competition is “the community behind it, the love and the power and the support of all of us is what is making change”.
Ahead of the final, Bambie said in an Instagram story: “I have raised multiple complaints to the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) regarding instances I have experienced this week.
“Earlier today they confirmed to my delegation in front of others that Kan’s commentator had broken the rules of conduct during the Eurovision semi-final.
“I have been patiently waiting to hear what action is set to be taken by the EBU following this rule break.
“I have since seen a statement by EBU director-general Noel Curran which contradicts this earlier confirmation.
“I am still waiting for an official update from the EBU. I hope to see you on the stage tonight.”
In response, a spokesperson for the Israeli broadcaster Kan said: “We wish everyone the best of luck tonight.”
The organisers of Eurovision said: “Bambie Thug did not perform in dress rehearsal three and the footage of their performance in dress rehearsal two was used in its place.
“They missed the dress rehearsal due to a situation that is currently being discussed with the EBU and song contest organisers.”
The EBU has been contacted for comment.
Source: Press Association
