ESC
December 13, 2025, 9:25 p.mDec 13, 2025, 9:32 p.m
On Thursday there was Nemo announced that he wanted to return the ESC trophy to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in Geneva after the victory in 2024. Nemo justified this with the EBU’s decision that Israel would be allowed to take part in the ESC in the future. Now the Irishman Charlie McGettigan followed Nemo’s example. The 1994 winner explained this in a video on social media.
#Eurovision 1994 winner Charlie McGettigan will return his trophy to the EBU in protest of Israel’s inclusion.
“In support of Nemo I would like to return my trophy to the EBU. Unfortunately our win was in 1994, but if I do find it I will return [it]” pic.twitter.com/UoLMtw6OWm
— ESC Discord (@ESCdiscord) December 12, 2025
“Last night, right before I went to sleep, I received an Instagram message from Nemo,” McGettigan says in the video. Nemo made an impression on him with his comments. “I would like to give my trophy back to the EBU to support Nemo,” said the Irishman.
The problem: McGettigan apparently doesn’t know where the cup is. “Our victory was in 1994 and I can’t find the trophy we won back then,” said the 75-year-old. If he finds her, he wants to put his words into action. McGettigan won in 1994 alongside Paul Harrington with “Rock’n’Roll Kids”.
Nemo himself has already reacted to McGettigan’s announcement. «Hey, Charlie. Thank you for talking about it and your kind words,” said Nemo in a story on Instagram. “I hope you find your trophy and send it back.”
With his announced action, McGettigan follows a series of protests against Israel’s future ESC participation. Even before Nemo’s announcement, five countries had announced that they wanted to boycott the world’s largest music competition – initially these were Spain, Ireland, Slovenia and the Netherlands. Followed later also Iceland. (dab)