The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said Thursday it had handed the Ukrainian public broadcaster a "substantial fine" for barring a Russian singer from participating in the Eurovision Song Contest last May.

"The Contest's steering committee ... has recommended that UA:PBC should receive a substantial fine," the Geneva-based EBU said in a statement.

Without disclosing the amount, EBU spokesman Dave Goodman told AFP that "that fine has now been communicated to UA:PBC."