Cyprus urged to drop ‘satanic’ Eurovision entry

NICOSIA: Cyprus was under pressure Friday to withdraw its Eurovision Song Contest entry, after an anonymous caller threatened to ‘burn down’ national broadcaster CyBC and an association of religion teachers blasted the tune.

The song ‘El Diablo’ (Spanish for ‘the devil’), performed by Greek singer Elena Tsagrinou, has faced criticism over its title and English lyrics since its release on Wednesday in the island nation, where many people are devoutly Orthodox Christian.

On Friday, state broadcaster CyBC alerted the police after someone called threatening to ‘burn the building down’ in protest over the song, the Cyprus News Agency reported.

Police are said to be investigating the incident.

An association representing instructors of religious education in secondary schools issued a statement Friday urging CyBC to ditch the song.