The representative of the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest, Joost Klein, was disqualified this Saturday by the organizers, due to a complaint of inappropriate behavior filed by a television production team worker that the Swedish police are investigating. “Dutch artist Joost Klein will not compete in the grand final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest,” the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced in a statement at midday. The final takes place tonight starting at 9 p.m., with 26 countries competing, which will now be 25.
“Swedish police are investigating a complaint made by a production team worker, following an incident after her performance in the semi-final on Thursday night. While the legal process continues, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the competition,” argues the EBU, which as a first measure had already suspended Joost Klein’s participation in the general rehearsals for the final. In the first of them, on Friday at noon, open to the accredited press, the Dutch interpreter participated in the initial parade, but then he no longer performed.
The EBU denied that the incident had anything to do with the representative of Israel, Eden Golan, with whom Joost had a tense moment at a press conference on Thursday night after the second semi-final, or with any member of the Israeli delegation. “We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other artist or member of a delegation,” the note says.
The statement does not elaborate on the nature of Klein’s inappropriate behavior that the Swedish police are investigating, but it explains the organization’s principles that led them to make this decision. “We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe work environment for all contest staff,” summarize the organizers of the television show. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behavior towards a team member is considered a violation of the contest rules.”
Dutch public television, Avrotros, considered the disqualification of its representative “disproportionate” and assured that the network “is shocked by the decision,” reports Afp.
On the other hand, the representative of Ireland, Bambie Thug, did not participate this Saturday in the last rehearsal of the grand final due to “a situation” that occurred at the beginning of it and which required an urgent meeting with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
For that reason, Thug has not participated in the aforementioned initial parade of the artists, nor has he appeared in his turn to perform.
The Irishwoman, who has apologized for missing this rehearsal to the fans who attended it, ends her message with a note that leaves her presence in the final in the air: “I hope to see you on stage tonight.”