“F***” THE EBU was what Ireland’s Bambie Thug had to say following a day of controversy in the build-up to Saturday night’s Eurovision final.
The singer has accused organisers of not supporting them following a row with Israel as many fans chose to boycott the event in a show of solidarity with Palestine.
The Irish star secure a sixth place finish in Ireland’s first grand final of the music event since 2018.
Earlier this week, we told how the singer said they were forced to remove pro-Palestine body-paint during the semi-final.
Bambie Thug speaks to media after placing sixth in the Eurovision Song Contest. They said they are proud of Nemo for winning as a non-binary person. They said it has been “so hard and so horrible” behind the scenes.
— Irish Examiner (@irishexaminer) May 12, 2024
“The EBU is not what the Eurovision is. Fuck the EBU.” pic.twitter.com/829ggJTI9x
Now, they have accused the Israeli broadcaster, Kan, of a rule break and said they have been waiting to hear back from the European Broadcasting Union about what action would be taken.
Bambie told journalists in the press centre: “So now that I’m free. I can talk about everything right?
“Yeah, so Kan the broadcaster incited violence against me twice, three times. We brought it up to the EBU. They said they follow up.
“They waited to the last minute, we still haven’t gotten statement back to us, allowed us to be scapegoats, allowed us to be the spokesperson for standing up for ourselves.
READ MORE: David Pratt: Gaza fallout is as much diplomatic as humanitarian
“And yeah, the broadcaster 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 shit 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 is, the EBU is what makes this, f*** them, the EBU I don’t even care anymore.”
They also called it “stressful” and said what the makes the competition is the “the community behind it, the love and the power and the support of all of us is what is making change”.
Irish premier Simon Harris congratulated Bambie for a “stunning performance and tour de force at Eurovision 2024”.
“They performed with passion, stopped us in our tracks and did us proud. The eruption of applause in the stadium at the end of Ireland’s performance spoke for itself,” he said in a statement.
“Congratulations to Switzerland on the win and well done to Sweden for hosting another showstopper. Thank you to our closest musical ally in Europe – Australia – for our only douze points!
“It’s Bambie Thug’s night as far as we’re concerned. Well done Bambie.”
Earlier, TV presenter Graham Norton, who was providing commentary for BBC coverage, said the singer, who performed with their song Doomsday Blue, was “tipped to do extremely well”.
He said: “I’m not a parent, but I might warn you that younger kids, I mean seriously, might find this next performance a little bit frightening.”
He added: “Bambie Thug, such a great performer and Ireland have done a very good job of production this year and this is tipped to do extremely well.”
On Saturday evening Ireland’s entry appeared on stage with the words “crown the witch”, in Ogham medieval script, on their body.
The singer had previously criticised Israel’s representative, Eden Golan (below), competing in the contest.
Ahead of the final, the singer, who missed the dress rehearsal due to an "urgent situation," 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 told the PA news agency: “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.”
Kan and the EBU have been contacted for comment.
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