Declared Eligible for Eurovision Song Contest joost Klein
Following an altercation backstage, Dutch musician Joost Klein has been ruled unable to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. The Dutch musician was accused by a female member of the production staff of harassing and threatening the Swedish police. Klein “repeatedly indicated” that he did not want to be in the movie, according to the Netherlands Song Festival, and he “did not touch the camera woman.” Bambi Thug, an Irish candidate, was hoping to make an appearance on stage for the program, however she missed her dress rehearsal.
Before the flag parade practice, Bambi Thug shared on her Instagram account a “situation” that she felt required the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) immediate attention. Bambi Thug made no mention of Klein’s disqualification and offered no evidence linking the two incidents together. Separately, the media in Norway stated that their representative, Alexandra Mele, had withdrawn from Malmö due to a “volatile situation.” Last year, she placed fourth while representing Norway and singing the King of Kings song.
Avrotros, a Dutch broadcaster, called Klein’s disqualification “disproportionate.” The corporation said it was “stunned” by the decision in a social media message and pledged to review it later. According to the competition’s organizers, taking part in Klein’s segment “would not be appropriate” while legal actions are pending. Klein was filmed as he had to rush to the green room after leaving the stage, according to Avrotros, the Dutch broadcaster that is hosting Eurovision, despite his repeated protestations that he did not want to be filmed. This was not taken seriously.
Joost made a menacing move in the direction of the camera. The camerawoman was not touched by Joost, according to the statement. The group “extensively consulted” with the EBU, it was said, and “proposed several solutions” before deciding to disqualify Klein. With his song “Europa Papa,” which he dedicated to his father, whom he lost to cancer when he was twelve, Klein was one of the favorites to win this year’s competition. Klein had told his father that one day he would perform on the Eurovision stage.
During the dress rehearsal that preceded Saturday’s television broadcast of the grand final, word spread that they had been disqualified. As Klein’s props were being arranged on stage at the Malmö Arena, a production manager gave the signal to take them down. Then, without any reason, their song was eliminated, and the next-in-line Israeli competitor, Eden Golan, replaced them. The event’s organizer, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), subsequently released a statement stating that they were “investigating an incident involving a Dutch artist” that they had been made aware of.
Zero Tolerance
Following Thursday’s semifinal, Swedish police acknowledged on Saturday that they had been notified of “illegal threats” made against an individual at the Malmö Arena. A spokeswoman stated, Police have taken all necessary investigative measures and have questioned suspects, witnesses, and victims. The police have completed the investigation. and the case will now be forwarded to the prosecutor in a few weeks.
Klein later confirmed to the EBU that he will not be competing in the grand final on Saturday. They declared, We are committed to providing a safe working environment for all staff at the competition and maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our events. Given this Joost Klein’s actions toward a team member are regarded as a breach of the competition’s regulations.
While there have been instances of contestants being disqualified from Eurovision, none of them have ever forfeited their spot in the final. Songs are typically turned down during the selecting process. Belarus was barred in 2021 for refusing to alter their national anthem for political reasons, while Romania was eliminated in 2016 for having unpaid EBU obligations. According to news reports from Sweden and the Netherlands, Klein was involved in the incident together with a member of the television production team. The incident’s organizers emphasized that no other musicians or delegation members were engaged, despite what has been reported in the media and on social media.
Since feelings were running high over the Israel-Gaza conflict, early reports suggested a competition between Klein and the Israeli competitor. At the press conference for the Eurovision on Thursday, Golan was asked if she ever considered that remaining here might put other contestants and the general public at danger.
Klein questioned, Why not? after the moderator informed the Israeli singer that she was not required to respond to the question. Golan retorted, I believe that everyone is here for the same goal and only one reason at that and that the EBU is taking all necessary security measures to ensure that everyone feels safe and united. For that reason, I believe that everyone is safe, and we will do it. Stay away from here. Klein had previously said, I think it’s a good question for the EBU, in response to the subject of whether his song could represent the Eurovision slogan and bring people together via music.
The grand final on Saturday will now feature 25 artists rather than the originally planned 26. The show starts at 21:00 local time, which is 20:00 BST, and ends at midnight, which is 23:00 BST. Voting by Dutch viewers is still available, and the outcome determined by the Dutch jury at Friday’s second dress rehearsal is still in effect.
For logistical considerations, including the challenge of incorporating last-minute new aspects into the production, Reinstating Klein is not feasible. Furthermore, because it would be against the regulations to reveal the results of the public vote, the organizers are not ready to award 11th place to the competitor who was ousted in Thursday’s semifinal.
