Romania says it has been warned it could be excluded from this year’s Eurovision song contest after the national television station TVR amassed a debt of €10m (£7.9m) to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
In a statement, TVR said it had been told it risked being barred from broadcasting the annual singing show, and Romania prevented from fielding candidates, due to unpaid bills dating back to 2011-2012.
“The Romanian National Television has requested understanding and tolerance regarding its disastrous financial situation, which has been understood by EBU, which until now has postponed drastic measures,” TVR said on Saturday.
TVR said it had paid off debts for the period 2008 to 2012, but added: “The latest payment was made in January this year in the amount of €250,000 after which TVR informed the international organisation that it can’t sustain these payments any more.”
TVR recorded losses of over £4.2m last year, according to the latest report it submitted to the Romanian parliament.
After first appearing in the contest in 1994, Romania have never finished higher than third.
Ovidiu Anton, this year’s Romanian entry – who is set to perform his English-language song Moment of Silence, may now be forced out of the lineup.
“I don’t think this should happen to any artist,” he told the Guardian. “No one has contacted me. I’ve just heard the rumours and seen the news. I’m just going to pretend I didn’t hear anything and keep preparing until I am told otherwise. Hopefully it will be solved.”
According to the TVR statement, EBU is awaiting responses from the Romanian government, parliament and finance ministry over the debt.
There are also concerns that the underfunded television network might be unable to broadcast Euro 2016 and this summer’s Olympic games in Rio unless the debt is paid.
This year’s Eurovision song contest will be held in Stockholm, Sweden, with the semi-finals taking place on 10 and 12 May and the grand final on 14 May.
