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Excerpt from amp.theguardian.comThe European Commission has fiercely criticised a decision by the Eurovision organisers to ban audience members from waving the EU flag at Saturday’s grand final in Sweden as “completely regrettable” and “mind-blowing”.
The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the annual song contest, blamed heightened geopolitical tensions for the ban, but indicated it was ready to think again next year. Footage shared on social media on Sunday showed the blue and gold-starred flag being waved at last year’s final, which was held in Liverpool.
The flag furore is the latest controversy to hit this year’s competition in Malmӧ, already overshadowed by a row over Israel’s inclusion and the disqualification of the Dutch entrant hours before the final.
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