Helsinki City Festival says it did not cancel Flo Rida’s concert, even after learning earlier this year that the artist had performed in Russia. A festival spokesperson said a cancellation at that stage would have led to such large compensation claims that it was no longer a realistic option.

HS reported that organisers received the information in the early part of the year, by which time the event’s contracts and production commitments were already far along. The case highlights how difficult it can be to change a major festival booking once financial obligations have built up.