The European Broadcasting Union has decided to issue RÚV with a fine for Hatari’s behaviour in the green room at the Eurovision Song Contest finale in Isreal last spring when band members displayed banners in the Palestine flag colours. According to RÚV Director of Broadcasting Skarphéðinn Guðmundsson, RÚV will receive the minimum fine of 5000 Euro.
RÚV objected to proposed fine to the EBU and claimed they were unhappy with the process and intended solution. RÚV’s letter to the EBU stated that it was the wrong conclusion and unfair to fine RÚV for breaking the rules when RÚV had taken every possible measure to make sure the rules would be followed. RÚV is of the opinion that the broadcasters taking part in the competition can never completely prevent their artists from saying or doing something that might be against the rules.RÚV’s letter also states that RÚV is nevertheless proud of Iceland’s contribution to the competition this year and believe that the Hatari performance was splendid and attention-grabbing.
The EBU ruling will have no further consequences and RÚV has decided that they will participate in the competition again next year. They are now excepting songs for the 2020 contest in Rotterdam.
