Dutch public television Avrotros criticized the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) this Saturday for the disqualification of its representative in the Eurovision Song Contest, Joost Klein, and considered it to be “a very disproportionate punishment” for “a threatening gesture.” In a statement on their networks, Avrotros explained their version of the “incident” (as the EBU has always described it) that occurred after their candidate’s performance last Thursday after the second semifinal. Its director, Taco Zimmerman, also went to the Eurovision press room in Malmö to convey these same words.
“Contrary to what was clearly specified previously, Joost was recorded just as he was leaving the stage urgently to reach the green room. At that point, Joost repeatedly indicated that he did not want to be recorded. His wish was not respected. This led him to make a threatening gesture towards the camera,” says the Dutch public broadcaster. Avrotros emphasizes that “Joost did not touch the camera operator” and that this was how the investigation of both the EBU and the Swedish police was informed, which is continuing.
“During yesterday and today there has been extensive discussion with the EBU and many solutions have been proposed. Despite this, the EBU has decided to disqualify Joost Klein. Avrotros believes that the punishment is very disproportionate. We support good manners – let there be no misunderstandings – but from our point of view, the exclusion order is not proportional to the incident,” protested the network, which declares itself “very disappointed and upset by the millions of fans who were excited by this evening”.
With his song Europapa, Joost Klein was one of the notable participants of this edition, according to the betting houses, which placed him among the top ten of the list of winners. He has now become the first Eurovision participant to be disqualified. “What Joost brought to the Netherlands and Europe should not have ended this way,” concludes the message on Dutch public television.
