It’s been two days since the 18th edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, where Europe crowned France’s Valentina the winner. In Spain there’s been much discussion about how Soleá secured bronze, which many of her loyal fans think should have actually been gold.
In a press conference held on Sunday, Toñi Prieto — the Spanish broadcaster’s Entertainment Director — assessed Spain’s sixth participation in the contest. There was much to celebrate — from Soleá’s ease on stage to the joy the entire team had working with her. But when it came to alleged violations of playback rules and allegations of strategic voting, the tea got hot.
Toñi Prieto: “Hemos hablado con la UER y desmienten que haya habido playback en las actuaciones de Eurovisión Junior 2020”
? Sigue en directo la rueda de prensa con Soleá
??????https://t.co/uuCSe8Adqb— eurovision_rtve (@eurovision_tve) November 30, 2020
The EBU to RTVE: “Everything is correct”
As Toñi Prieto confirms, the EBU told Spain that no playback was used at Junior Eurovision 2020. But after seeing rumours and comments from fans spreading across social media and even in newspapers, the Spanish team contacted the EBU to get an update. The EBU confirmed that everything was correct during the show and that the rumours had not been substantiated.
“Of course, our main worry was to ask the EBU what was going on across social media,” she said. “They denied absolutely all these allegations and said that all countries were submitted to all controls.”
Toñi continues: “The EBU is a big body, so Spain will not press them on this issue. We have to believe what they are telling us.”
? "Valentina sang live — there is no debate."
?? France's HoD has denied that the #JESC winner used playback.
?? She was speaking to @20Minutes reporter @fabrandanne.
?? Spain's team say the EBU told them the playback allegations are NOT true.https://t.co/d1jDKn3sTA
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) November 30, 2020
So what did the EBU rules and regulations cover this year? According to Toñi, the guidelines included specifications for the stage, green rooms and the performance.
However, RTVE said no supervision took place on-site when they were actually filming their performance in Spain. Spain simply sent the performance to the EBU to be checked, and the EBU confirmed everything looked correct. There doesn’t seem to be much clarity on how they checked each performance.
“What we did is what the EBU dictated that we do. Everyone got the same criteria with regards to stage design and green rooms. Some countries did it, some countries did not. But that’s a problem for the EBU and they should say if something is not right. That is why we prefer to participate [at an in-person event]. The same conditions will, and should, apply.”
Toñi continues: “Nobody from the EBU came to check if we [or any country] were doing it correctly. We just sent it to them, and they told us everything was correct and in accordance with the requirements. We have been told that the EBU will make stronger supervision in the event that Eurovision 2021 replicates the same model.”
“No points to Spain from France”
It’s important to Spain whether its neighbouring countries vote for them. When they don’t send Spain love, it doesn’t go unnoticed, as happened previously with Portugal. Well on Sunday another neighbour – France — also blanked it. That may have stung, but what shocked Spanish fans, and Toñi Prieto, is the fact that the French jury seemed to rank the most popular countries as the lowest in their votes. The French jury gave one point to Poland, two points to Belarus, three points to The Netherlands, four points to Kazakhstan and zero to Spain. Toñi wouldn’t be drawn too deep on the matter, but did offer these rather loaded words: “You will not vote for your enemies, in my opinion.”
Junior Eurovision 2021 and Blas Cantó
For the Spanish fans, it’s good news once more. Spain will likely be in the Junior Contest next year. Despite no official confirmation, Toñi shed light towards a likely participation in 2021: “We think we will be there and will continue our great-results-record book”.
A proposal seems to be on the table already. During the Junior Eurovision 2020 celebration, Melani Garcia, who also finished third in 2019 for Spain, suggested to Soleá that they go together next year. Toñi told the media that they will evaluate this option, which will surely make Soleá happy, as she’s already ready for a comeback.
¿Os gustaría un dueto lírico-flamenco con @_melaniofficial y @solea_oficial en Eurovisión?
Soleá ha comentado este tema y muchos más en la rueda de prensa tras el festival:https://t.co/qW79nIdJRx
— eurovision_rtve (@eurovision_tve) November 30, 2020
Concerning Blas Cantó, Toñi Prieto also confirmed the the guidelines he has set for his Eurovision 2021 song: the ability of the song to move people, quality and also something that Blas feels comfortable performing. And that’s all we know. Toñi says more news will follow in the coming months. At the moment, all we know is that four songs are on the table and that the Duncan Laurence’s song did not make the cut.
How excited you are about a duet between Melani and Solea? What do you make of France’s jury vote? Let us know in the comment section below!
Spain has legitimate concerns if there was no one to check it, can’t believe the EBU allowed the Broadcaster’s to effectively mark their own homework.
And the voting of that French Jury was definitely dodgy, either they accidentally ranked it upside down, or it deliberate to stop their competition.
Legitimate concerns about what? No need to have somebody in person to check if all is right, you don’t even know how Ebu has checked it.
And what about the Spanish jury? It’s always easy to attack the winner, but look at the others too.
It is fascinating to see both France and Spain (2 Big 5ivers with very little luck in the adult content sarcastically) acting like two spoil brat kids over the outcome of the nursey school contest, the same way Russia and Ukraine used to complain about each other on the adult version. I guess it’s fair to say that: from childhood to adulthood … nobody really and truly learns how to win and loose properly and in a balanced and healthy way. It’s all bout the “me” and the “only me” for mummy to hand them the sweet they so desperately… Read more »
The only difference is that one country is bitter because the other one is winner and what a difference!
Spain is to JESC what Trump is to American elections…
It is not children’s fault that adults are cheating… Stop the hate!
No cheatings, ask to TVP
And some spanish eurofans now are even able to go on Valentina’s Twitter and Instagram accounts, a KID’s accounts, to BULLY her directly, so sad for her! They go too far, it’s a SHAME.!! MONSTERS!
You are proud of what you have created seriously Prieto and friends? It’s a KID contest only what is wrong with you!
Yeah sad to see that, I’m not proud to be an eurofan seeing that….. each times the contest’s winners are not respected, Salvador Netta Duncan Viki Roxy and now Valentina but she has only 11 years old, I can’t understand people who want to hurt her! And adults like Prieto are helping this bullying…..I can’t accept
Wow better and better I’ve just learned that she even received death threats…….this thing is going really really too far….I hope ya all on this site who have ecouraged this you are proud of you, bunch of dumb!
That’s a lie, at this point you are making things up and it’s starting to look obvious. Prove it if it’s true
A lie? Wtf! The interest to lie onto that tell me? What’s wrong with you? Go to ask to Valentina’s entourage, but you seem “to know more than everyone else”, and after accusing a little girl without proofs you ask me proofs, lol, you’re the best.
It’s the same all the time – low points from Ukraine to Poland, high points the other way around.
OMG i’m from Spain. I hate what all the dramatic Spanish eurofans are creating right now. I do believe that France had playback but I really don’t care, I know she can sing and I know that without the playback she would still have won. Plus, is just a freaking child contest and they should not create so much fuss. I’m just tired of the situation repeating itself in every contest because now everyone is hating on Spain and it’s eurofans. Please the people that are doing that stuff is just a small part of the fans and of the… Read more »
I believe none of them had playback.Russia is always Russia, they cheat in politics and sports also. So why not cheat here also they think
It’s the fault of the spanish delegation they are playing dirty , of course all spanish eurofans are not bad, but even here in a positive comment you talk about of playback so definetely this delegation has brainwashed the spanish eurofans.
What? Yo think we are stupid we can get brainwashed by the delegation? I don’t even know what they say and who are the people of the delegation
You don’t know to lie, and yeah I really think you are stupid because your f…..king acts have serious consequences on children, so think a little bit if you can but I’m doubtful of it.
Great, you are just like the dramatic Spanish eurofans, acting like a child, I was just saying my opinion which is highly unbiased. But you are talking as if you know more than everyone else. Take a chill pill
If you take the things for you, ask yourself why, and go to chill too….. and after it’s me the child????
acting like a child, dramatic because I denounce the bullying against a kid, yeah of course man, definetely something is wrong with you.
This kind of climate in a contest about kids is totally wrong and disgusting.
Is anyone else considering the possibility that the votes from the French jury were counted wrong, a bit like what happened with the Belarusian jury at ESC 2019? I mean, if the jury was really evil enough to vote in order to increase their chance of making their own country win, I feel like they would have done it in a slightly more subtle and smarter way. I mean, they went completely the opposite of all the other countries here… The EBU might not make an official statement about it because I don’t think it’ll change much regarding the ranking,… Read more »
Exactly as Spain jury has voted, in order to increase their chances, and after they came to cry, a good bunch of hypocritical persons this spanish delegation.
The EBU MUST make sure that this not happen again in the ESC 2021 ……because that could be damage the ESC and JESC a lot !
Kazakhstan or Georgia or Malta should have won…. But i dont mind that much about France winning as its a very catchy upbeat song
France was waiting for a victory since more 40 years, and now some persons try to ruin it….
#SoreLosers #Jealousy
Seriously ! Ya all, have you seen the votes from the spanish jury? Go to check it, Prieto look at you in a mirror, vicious woman.
1pt Serbia
2pts Poland
3pts Russia
4pts Kazakhstan
5pts Belarus
6pts France
7pts Malta
8pts Ukraine
10 pts the Netherlands
12 pts Georgia
And after they complain……these people have no faces
They don’t give points to Germany it means Germany is their “ennemy” according the stupid Prieto.
If anyone needs more, check this complete vid of an expert. Belarus, France and Russia did compete with studio versions.
It is fair for all, dear EBU? A contest must be fair in every sense. If not it’s better not to celebrate it.
https://youtu.be/wu5OPNT32d8
i think its time to move on now. I have also investigated. Russia ALWAYS cheats so Russia is in their own league. Russia is the only one who should be blamed i think
Nobody can deny it!!
https://youtu.be/UaPPWRVzkaQ
Spaniard broadcaster did well in asking for an explanation. You can check this with the video before blocking it by the EBU. What a big shame! Don’t lie to us anymore please!
Give it a rest, Karen. It’s just a kid’s show
I know this is a kid’s show but they don’t have to act like chidren.
Plzzz stop these digusting comments!!!??we want to see Valentina happy similarly as you want to see Soléa happy. Maybe there was playback in the live final. But can’t you see that our little cutiee Valentina sang with all her heart??????Moreover, she was very happy and she had a beautiful smile. She has an incredible voice even without playback which drove her towards victory. That’s all!
To the question if Melani Garcia and Solea should form a duo for JESC …..sure they should ….or do a girl group or a mixed group with those 2 girls + 2 boys. Would be cool to have different stuff in that contest and you can see, it works with the Netherlands.
Besides Spain, is anyone else complaining?
No, not even Kazakhstan and they got 2nd
I don’t agree with that .How can you say’ you will not vote for your enemies in my opinion’ and that France ranked the most popular countries at lowest votes?What about the two previous years where in 2018, France gave12 pts to Poland and in 2019, the Netherlands. With regard to not giving votes to Spain, this is their opinion which must be respected. Moreover for playback, there are also countries like Belarus which could also potentially win used playback. So why aren’t you saying anything?? France didn’t only get the highest online voting but also the most of the… Read more »
By the way, and the others countries ? why only Spain delegation is complaining ? why Kazaksthan, the Netherland and others say nothing ? Why they aren’t hand to hand with Spain against evil cheatters from France, Russia and Belarus ? Nobody care ? they all used pre recorded backing vocals ? Spain sore loser ? make your choice 😉
Because they don’t wanna accept they lost again
EBU are corrupt liars? nothing new
I’m from France and I have to say that I was very proud when our 12 points went to Serbia, they are totally justified, there is a public here for Petar’s song and that was totally deserve. For the rest I was happy with some of the others points sent like Ukraine or Germany, but like always everyone deserve points! But at the end the jury made a choice based on their tops and sadly was Spain at the bottom. That was not my case and I voted for you Solea. I strongly hope that Spain continues its JESC way… Read more »
I agree, I am French and i voted for Serbia, Ukraine and Netherlands. My kids had also voted for Serbia 🙂 I didnt like the Spanish song and thought Solea’s vocals were weak on stage. I think the French jury’s vote is justified and reflects French taste and i wad proud when they gave 12 points to Serbia, it is wonderful song.
If France hadn’t won, we would have probably hear from Russia and Belarus already… But all the focus goes to France
Let me remind y’all that the suspicion of playback belongs to Russia and Belarus as well
What about them? Do they have anything to say about it?
Even if France got a red card for cheating (I don’t know if they did) from the EBU and would go 4 rankings down ….there is still Kazakhstan above Spain …and why isn’t Kazakhstan be upset and super angree about France? Spain had every right to ask the EBU but now it is enough and we should focus on 2021.
Spain is litteraly questioning the credibility of the Ebu acting like that…..but there’s always a backfire….. the Ebu must be tired of these dramas moreover coming always from the same and I understand them. And for the voting, firstly Serbia deserved his 12 points and Ukraine Germany deserved points too, why not? So disgusting and disrespectful to think the contrary for these countries, all kids deserved their points and the jury don’t care of the pre show favorites they are not in the eurofans bubble . Secondly Spain you complain about not getting points from France this time, but ask… Read more »
Esc adict : you are the vomitive one.
Even if France would have given top scores to Spain they would not have won
The French victory is indisputable. The playback used either. The Spanish broadcaster did good in claim for an explanation to say the least and it doesn’t mean that the results seem unfair.. And no matter what EBU says, we don’t have to believe all that they say. If not, try to listen the two tracks at the same time, the official video version and the jesc performance. IDENTICAL 100%, that’s what I call playback. Period. Sad for Valentina for this innappropiate procedure of the EBU. We deserve fair play in every contest.
COUNT EVERY VOTE 😀
Already done. France won by a landslide.
Yes, true, very well done
The French victory is indisputable. The playback used either. The Spanish broadcaster did good in claim for an explanation to say the least and it doesn’t mean that the results seem unfair.. And no matter what EBU says, we don’t have to believe all that they say. If not, try to listen the two tracks at the same time, the official video version and the jesc performance. IDENTICAL 100%, that’s what I call playback. Period. Sad for Valentina for this innappropiate procedure of the EBU. We deserve fair play in every contest.
Sore losers. They are more pathetic day after day. Spain is the one which should be disqualified, since their return, jesc is just drama, without talking about the digusting comments toward Valentina and Vicki last year from so calles eurofans. Such a pathetic nation.
I definitely think the hate against Valentina is completely unwarranted. Even if (and I’m saying IF, I am not saying that it was 100% playback) France used playback, that is not Valentina’s fault. But I also think the hate that Solea and Spanish fans are getting is also getting out of hand. Calling them “sore losers” and “pathetic,” and saying things like “they should be disqualified” and “a pathetic nation” is not only generalizing a whole country based on a few people’s behaviour, but also just as bad as the toxic fans. There are lots of people arguing some countries… Read more »
Imagine if France pulled a ESC Belarus 2019 on us and Spain was supposed to get 12 points.
Would have change nothing in the results. But shame, again, on Spain compleaning for not have geographic vote…so losers until the end
Yes
OH COME ON! She was freaking third! You don’t hear Germany complaining, do you?
They should do
And if Spain had won we would not be hearing ANY of this from them. Yawn, move on, Spain, sore losers.
Great victory for them if lip-sync was permitted. 3 countries did it. The spaniard broadcaster did well in asking for an explanation. We don’t have to believe all the official excuses. If not try to listen at the same time the two tracks, the official video version and the jesc performance. So Identical that they are the same. Permitting this kind of thing is fair in a contest? It is fair for Valentina as well?
Oups do you know Soleà got backing vocals in playback for her performance too! Wow what a scandal! I’m going to call the Ebu to complain directly ??, pathetic
Pre-recorded backing vocals are allowed in JESC but the singer has always had to sing live, which only makes sense
Soleà sang live, that’s for sure (and she was great!)
Valentina can obviously sing live, it’s a fact, but she didn’t sing live on the grand final and same goes for Russia and Belarus
How you can talk about lip-sync when you see this little girl singing with all her heart, you’re so disgusting
That’s so disgusting! How can you that it was lip sync? She was singing with all her heart and even without playback , her voice is incredible and is the same. Go and see if you don’t believe!!! She is not so popular in France for nothing!!!!