Portugal Dismisses Eurovision Withdrawal Rumours: Management Speaks Out
The management team of Iolanda, Portugal’s representative at Eurovision 2024, has firmly denied reports suggesting that there were discussions about withdrawing from the contest shortly before the Grand Final.
Rita Barradas, director of Think Out Loud, the agency representing Iolanda, addressed the rumours head-on: «For Portugal, the idea of withdrawing from the contest was never considered, nor did we have any discussions with the EBU about it, let alone 25 minutes before the show. While this year’s edition had its share of controversies, Portugal’s withdrawal on the day of the final was never on the table.»
The rumours originated from a Norwegian newspaper, VG, which claimed that six delegations—Ireland, Switzerland, Greece, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and Norway—had threatened to withdraw from Eurovision 2024 just 25 minutes before the Grand Final. However, Yves Schifferle, Head of Delegation for Switzerland, has also categorically denied these allegations.
In addition to denying withdrawal discussions, RTP, the Portuguese national broadcaster, had a meeting with the EBU to address concerns about the delay in uploading Iolanda’s Grand Final performance to YouTube.
Despite the surrounding controversies, Iolanda secured a commendable 10th place for Portugal with her song «Grito». Portugal received a total of 152 points, including top marks (12 points) from the juries in Croatia, France, and the United Kingdom.
As the dust settles from Eurovision 2024, the focus now shifts to future preparations and the continued support for artists like Iolanda, who bring their unique talents to the international stage. Portugal’s commitment to Eurovision remains strong, and fans can look forward to more exciting entries in the years to come.
