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The Dutch broadcaster that sent the country’s recording to Eurovision said the decision to disqualify its contestant from the song contest just hours before tonight’s grand final began was “blown out of proportion”.
Dutch singer and rapper Joost Klein was kicked out of the main show due to an incident with a woman on the production team, competition organizers announced earlier in the day.
Klein, 26, qualified for the competition’s main event but was absent from practice on Friday.
It is the first time in Eurovision’s 68-year history that a contestant has been disqualified after the start of the five-day event.
“Swedish police are investigating a complaint filed by a female member of the production team following an incident following his [Klein’s] performance of the semi-final on Thursday night,” Eurovision organizers said in a statement.
“While the legal process is taking its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the race. We maintain a zero tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure environment.
Organizers said the incident did not involve other performers or members of the delegation.
However, Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said it was “shocked” by the decision to kick Klein from the show, as he had merely made a “threatening gesture” at a camerawoman but not touched her.
“Contrary to the agreement that was clearly made, Joost was filmed when he had just come off the stage and had to rush to the green room. At this point, Joost repeatedly indicated that he did not want to be photographed. This was not respected.”
According to the broadcaster, he offered “several solutions” to the EBU, which decided to disqualify Klein anyway.
Swedish police told German magazine Der Spiegel that the incident they are investigating did not involve “physical or sexual violence”.
Friction between Klein and Israel’s delegation at a press conference Thursday night fueled speculation that the incident leading to his absence was political in nature.
When Klein, who was due to perform just ahead of Israeli contestant Eden Golan on Saturday night, was asked if his Europapa entry could live up to the contest’s motto, United by Music, he said: “I think it is good question for the EBU.”
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In March, the Association of Broadcasters ruled that Israel was allowed to compete as long as it had change the text to its entrance, then called October Rain, for the trauma of the Hamas massacre on October 7.
The EBU defended its decision, saying Eurovision was a “non-political music event” and “not a competition between governments”.
When another journalist asked Golan if she had considered whether her presence at the competition might endanger the other performers and the fans in attendance, the presenter interjected to say that she didn’t have to answer the question if she didn’t want to. Klein, who was sitting next to her, chimed in with, “Why not?”
Europapa, a pop anthem of European free movement wrapped in a story about the loss of a parent, received loud applause in the semi-final and was considered one of the favorites to win the 68th edition of Eurovision.
In 1974, France pulled out after President Georges Pompidou died the week of the pageant, but did so before the singer Danni took the stage.
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