{"id":110593,"date":"2025-05-18T02:36:11","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T02:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/110593\/"},"modified":"2025-05-18T02:36:11","modified_gmt":"2025-05-18T02:36:11","slug":"spain-risks-major-fine-from-eurovision-song-contest-by-persisting-with-political-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/110593\/","title":{"rendered":"Spain risks major fine from Eurovision Song Contest by persisting with political message"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Spanish broadcasters risked facing the wrath of Eurovision Song Contest<\/a> organisers by persisting with a political message, despite a previous warning.<\/p>\n

Representing Spain this year is singer-songwriter and dancer Melody with her upbeat tune, ESA DIVA, which has proven a huge hit among Eurovision 2025 viewers.<\/a><\/p>\n

However, her own country could now be fined after defying the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) with a statement displayed ahead of the Grand Final<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Before their coverage began \u2013 this year\u2019s Grand Final takes place in Basel<\/a>, Switzerland<\/a>, following Nemo\u2019s 2024 win<\/a> \u2013 RTVE showed a black screen with white text in both Spanish and an English translation.<\/p>\n

It read: \u2018When human rights are at stake, silence is not an option.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Peace and Justice for Palestine.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Spanish
\n\t\tSpanish singer Melody represented her country in Eurovision 2025 (Picture: Fabrice Coffrini\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The message was shown on screens for 16 seconds.<\/p>\n

RTVE (the BBC equivalent) also posted a clip of it on X, which soon garnered over one million views.<\/p>\n

In response, many Spanish viewers thanked them for their support of Palestine.<\/p>\n

\u2018EBU you can sanction us, but you cannot silence us. Proud of RTVE\u2019, wrote @Tokyiio.<\/p>\n

\u2018This is the public television I want\u2019, declared @juanf_moreno.<\/p>\n

\u2018We\u2019re going to pay that fine with all the pride in the world\u2019, wrote @Nabad2003.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"In
\n\t\tBroadcaster RTVE, which is the equivalent of our BBC, displayed a pro-Palestine message ahead of the final (Picture: RTVE)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"epa12110834
\n\t\tIsrael\u2019s Yuval Raphael has received major backlash since her participation in the contest was confirmed (Picture: EPA)<\/p>\n

Indeed, the network could now have to cough up a hefty sum, due to Eurovision organisers long stating that it is \u2018a non-political event.\u2019<\/p>\n

Under the rules on the official Eurovision website, it says: \u2018All participating broadcasters, including the host broadcaster, shall be responsible to ensure that all necessary measures are undertaken within their respective delegations and teams to safeguard the interests and the integrity of the ESC and to make sure that the ESC shall in no case be politicised and\/or instrumentalised and\/or otherwise brought into disrepute in any way.\u2019<\/p>\n

The rules also state: \u2018The participating broadcasters shall at all times respect the EBU and the ESC values and take all steps to protect the integrity of the ESC and of the shows.\u2019<\/p>\n

Ahead of the final, the EBU proved it will not mess around when it comes to political commentary, although this is far from the first time a country has been caught up in a political row<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Julia Varela and Tony Aguilar mentioned the victims of the ongoing Gaza war<\/a> during the second semi-final broadcast earlier this week.<\/p>\n

The presenters also reminded viewers that the Spanish public broadcaster had already requested a discussion within the EBU about Israel\u2019s participation in Eurovision<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Yuval
\n\t\tProtesters attempted to storm the stage with paint as she sang tonight (Picture: Reuters)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Pro-Palestinian
\n\t\tDemonstrators have stormed the streets of Basel in their hundreds this week (Picture: AFP)<\/p>\n

Consequently, the EBU warned RTVE of \u2018punitive fines\u2019 if its commentators repeated such references during the Grand Final.<\/p>\n

Head of the Spanish delegation, Ana Mar\u00eda Bord\u00e1s, was also sent a letter with the warning in writing on Friday. It was signed by Eurovision Reference Group Chair Swiss Bakel Walden and Swedish Martin \u00d6sterdahl, the contest\u2019s Executive Supervisor.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, protests have raged on throughout this year\u2019s contest<\/a>, with pro-Palestine demonstrators gathering in their hundreds just hours before the final began.<\/p>\n

Then, inside St. Jakobshalle, a Eurovision crew member was hit with paint after two people tried to rush on stage to disrupt Israeli singer Yuval Raphael\u2019s performance<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Organisers confirmed they were swiftly removed from the venue.<\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

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