Russia barred from Eurovision Song Contest 2022

Producers U-turn on decision to allow a Russian act to compete at the event in Italy

Participant Manizha of Russia performs during the final of the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam. Reuters

Russia will not take part in this year's Eurovision Song Contest, according to the European Broadcasting Union.

The country has been banned from participating in the event set to take place in May following its invasion of Ukraine.

Producers confirmed the exclusion of any Russian acts from competing in the contest.

“The decision reflects concerns that, in light of the unprecedented crisis in Ukraine, the inclusion of a Russian entry in this year’s Contest would bring the competition into disrepute,” said the European Broadcasting Union on Friday.

It is an update on a previous decision only 36 hours earlier by the organisers that said it planned to host entrants from Russia owing to the competition being a “non-political cultural event".

Broadcasters from several nations, including Denmark, Finland, Iceland and Sweden, requested the broadcasting union to ban Russia from the event.

There will now be a total of 40 countries competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022, which will take place in Turin, Italy.

Russia's ban from the event follows the country being stripped of the 2022 Champions League final match — which will now be held in Paris, and Formula One dropping September's Grand Prix in Sochi.