Dutchman Joost Klein banned by Eurovision after ‘accident’

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to update: Dutch rapper Joost Klein has been expelled from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest just hours before the annual contest’s grand final in Malmö, Sweden. On Saturday (May 11), less than 24 hours after the European Broadcasting Union announced Klein’s suspension from rehearsals, the EBU issued a statement revealing that Klein, who is competing on behalf of the Netherlands, had been expelled from Eurovision following a “complaint filed By a “female member of the production crew” being investigated by Swedish police.

“While the legal proceedings have run their course, it will not be appropriate for him to continue in the competition,” said the EBU statement, which also made clear that Klein’s disqualification — and the charges against him — “did not extend to any other artist or delegation member.”

After Klein’s disqualification, the points awarded to the Netherlands during training will be cancelled, and the Netherlands will not be able to receive any public votes. The run order will be executed as before, except for the Netherlands.

Read the full statement from the EBU below:

Dutch artist Joost Klein will not participate in the grand final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Swedish police investigated a complaint filed by a member of the production crew after an incident following his semi-final performance on Thursday night. While the legal proceedings take their course, it will not be appropriate for him to continue in the competition.

We would like to clarify that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other artist or member of the delegation.

We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure work environment for all competition employees. In light of this, Jost Klein’s behavior towards a team member is considered a violation of the competition rules.

The grand final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now continue with 25 songs participating.
ESC Communications Team.

Original article on May 10: Joost Klein, the Netherlands’ representative in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, is under investigation by the European Broadcasting Union over an “accident”. No details have been announced yet, but Klein has been suspended from training. It is not known whether he will be able to continue competing.

The EU statement did not shed much light on the situation: “We are investigating an incident reported to us involving the Dutch artist. He will not train until further notice. We have no further comment at this time and will update in due course.

The second rehearsal for the Grand Final is now taking place at Malmo Arena in Sweden. The Netherlands is in fifth place. Nothing will look wrong with the place. SVT, the Swedish television broadcaster, will use Klein’s rehearsal from Semi-Final 2 unless the incident is clarified in the next few minutes. The European Broadcasting Union is in talks with the Dutch broadcaster Afrotros.

The broadcast begins with the traditional “Flag Parade,” where the performers take the stage in order of performance. Klein appeared in concert at the first rehearsal on Friday afternoon (May 10). When it was time to perform, his stage props were placed on stage when they were suddenly removed. He was absent from the evening flag rehearsal ceremony. “Netherlands,” the voice announcer announced, but no one showed up to show off the country’s flag.

The rehearsal currently underway is an important experiment; National juries are watching and will cast their votes tonight.

While the details of the incident are unknown. painting There’s been speculation that there was a behind-the-scenes incident between Klein and someone who works on the show – but nothing can be confirmed. There was tension between Klein and Israeli singer Eden Golan at a press conference on Thursday evening (May 9) for the 10 qualifying nations in the second semi-final. Golan was asked if her presence in the competition represented a security risk.

The coordinator told Golan she didn’t need to answer, and Klein shouted, “Why not?” Golan then voluntarily said that the EBU is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all. The assembled press corps burst into applause.

Israel follows the Netherlands in the rankings, so the two artists will likely be in close proximity during the afternoon rehearsal.

This is a developing story.