Final without the representative of the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest
The expulsion of the representative of the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest marks the end of the famed European music competition.
The Eurovision Song Contest had a new upheaval on Saturday when organizers disqualified Netherlands entrant Joost Klein hours before the grand final.
The Netherlands’ representative at the Eurovision Song Contest was expelled for a backstage incident involving a female crew member.
The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the annual event, to be held this year in Malmö, Sweden, said police were investigating the incident involving singer Joost Klein and that it would not be appropriate for him to participate.
The Eurovision Song Contest, moreover, has been criticized for Israel’s participation, but the organization maintains that it is an apolitical event.
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“Swedish police have investigated a complaint filed by a member of the production team following an incident after her semi-final performance on Thursday night. While the legal process is still ongoing, it would not be appropriate for the Netherlands’ representative at the Eurovision Song Contest to continue in the contest,” the EBU said.
A spokeswoman for the Swedish police authority said in a statement that the Netherlands’ representative at the Eurovision Song Contest is suspected of illegal threats.
Final without the representative of the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest
The crime is said to have been committed at the Malmö Arena on Thursday night.
“The man was questioned by the police, but not arrested,” it added.
The Netherlands’ public broadcaster AVROTROS criticized the EBU for expelling Klein. It said in a statement that it “considers the disqualification to be disproportionate and is dismayed by the decision.”
This Saturday, May 11, is the final, while pro-Palestinian protesters have been demonstrating daily in Malmo in the days leading up to the competition.
The EBU said Klein’s disqualification did not involve any other artist or member of another country’s delegation.
The alleged incident involving the Netherlands’ representative at the Eurovision Song Contest occurred this Thursday night after the second semi-final.
Rumors began to circulate among delegations and the press in Malmö on Friday afternoon when Klein did not perform as scheduled in a dress rehearsal.
He was scheduled to rehearse directly before the Israeli entry, Eden Golan, leading to unconfirmed speculation that the events were related.
Golan’s entry has sowed division in the contest, whose motto is “united for music.”
The EBU ordered Israel to change the lyrics of its song, originally titled “October Rain”, which it considered too political.
Meanwhile, aside from the expulsion of the Netherlands‘ representative at the Eurovision Song Contest, Israel secured a place in the final on Thursday, after which the Italian broadcaster, RAI, accidentally revealed what appeared to be the result of the public televote.
The results showed that Israel had won 39% of the public vote, representing a landslide victory.
RAI said the results were published in error and later claimed the data was “incomplete.” The EBU said it had told RAI that the move “violated the rules.”
