Romania kicked out of Eurovision Song Contest just a few weeks before show

Kicked out: Romania 's entry Ovidiu Anton will not be able to perform
Jennifer Ruby22 April 2016
The Weekender

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Romania has been expelled from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Just a few weeks before the annual show is hosted in Sweden, the country’s entry has been forced to pull out.

According to The European Broadcasting Union, which producers the show, Romania’s national broadcaster Televiziunea Romana has failed to pay debts of more than £11 million.

A statement has been posted on the competition’s official website, which reads:

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“The EBU has withdrawn member services from Romanian public service broadcaster Televiziunea Romana (TVR) following the non-payment of debts totalling CHF 16 million.

“TVR will now no longer be able to participate in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest and will lose access to other EBU member services including the Eurovision News and Sports News Exchanges, the right to broadcast specific sporting events, legal, technical and research expertise and lobbying services.”

Romania’s 2016 entry, Ovidiu Anton, was all set to sing his song Moment of Silence during the semi-finals on May 12.

Executive supervisor of the contest, Jon Ola Sand said: “As with all participants, SVT has been preparing for Romania's act thoroughly over the past weeks.

"To take an act out at such a late stage is of course a little disruptive, but it will not negatively affect the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in any other way."

The Eurovision Song Contest final is on May 14.

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