The Eurovision Song Contest reference group has reviewed the Georgian submission for the 2009 competition and, earlier than expected, has issued a decision. The song selected in Georgia's national final, We don't wanna put in by Stephane and 3G will not be allowed to participate at the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow.

The songappears to haveclear political meaning and is has been widely seen in international and local media as an attack on the Russian Prime Minister, Vladimir Putin. The song is in breach of the Eurovision Song Contest rules and will not be allowed to take part in the competition.

The EBU Reference Group has officially offered GPB the opportunity to select another song, or to change the lyrics of the selected song in such a way that it complies with the Rules. The deadline is the 16th of March, when all represented countries will officially hand in their selected entry to the European Broadcasting Union.

The EBU Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest has now offered Georgian broadcaster, GPB, the opportunity to either re-write the lyrics of the song, or to select another song for the contest. That must be done before 16th March, or Georgia would be disqualified from the competition. Should no change be made, Georgia may withdraw from the competition.

It seems that the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group have acted ahead of schedule in order to give Georgia time to find alternative lyrics or a new song ahead of the head of delegation meeting in Moscow on 16th March. Back on February 19th The EBU told esctoday.com that "The EBU evaluates all of the participating songs after they are officially presented at the Eurovision Song Contests Head of Delegation meeting on 16 March. Until then, the EBU cannot comment on the songs because they are not officially submitted until that point, all participating broadcasters have the chance to make changes to the songs that have been selected."

Today, the Reference Group of the Eurovision Song Contest deemed that both the title and lyrics of We don't wanna put in do not comply with Section 4 Rule 9 of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest rules and cannot take part in the competition as such. The rule states:

4.9 The lyrics and/or performance of the songs shall not bring the Shows or the Eurovision Song Contest as such into disrepute. No lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature shall be permitted during the Eurovision Song Contest. No swearing or other unacceptable language shall be allowed in the lyrics or in the performances of the songs. No commercial messages of any kind shall be allowed. A breach of this rule may result in disqualification.

The entry Stephane and 3Gwill not sing in Moscow:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wj5s0OedYgY