The EBU says it is investigating an “incident” involving Joost Klein, who has been temporarily suspended. Today we will discuss about Dutch artist Joost Klein will not compete in Eurovision final after complaint.
Dutch artist Joost Klein will not compete in Eurovision final after complaint
The cast has been sent home after a female member of the production crew accused Swedish police of bullying.
In a statement, contest organizers said that “it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest while the legal process is ongoing”.
Dutch broadcaster Evertotros called the boycott of Klein “disproportionate”.
Klein was one of the favorites to win this year’s contest with his song, Europapa.
A pro-Europe techno anthem, it was dedicated to his father, whom he lost to cancer when he was 12.
The now 26-year-old singer had promised his father that he would one day reach the Eurovision stage.
News of his suspension came to light on Friday afternoon during a dress rehearsal ahead of Saturday’s televised grand final.
Klein’s props were being set up on stage inside the Malmö Arena when a production manager indicated that they should be removed.
His song was then discarded without explanation, and Israel’s entrant Eden Golan, who was next in the running order, took his place.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organizes the event, later released a statement saying they were “investigating an incident involving a Dutch artist that we were informed about”.
‘zero tolerance’
On Saturday, Swedish police confirmed that after Thursday’s semi-final, a man was reported to have made an “unlawful threat” at the Malmö Arena.
A spokesperson said, “Police have taken all necessary investigative measures and have interviewed the suspect, plaintiff and witnesses.”
“The police have completed the investigation… and the case will now go to the prosecutor in a few weeks.”
The EBU later confirmed that Klein would not participate in Saturday’s grand final.
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe working environment for all employees at the competition,” he said.
“In light of this, Jost Klein’s behavior towards the team member is considered a breach of the competition rules.”
Swedish and Dutch news outlets have said that the incident involved a member of the television production team.
Organizers stressed that “contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, no other artists or delegation members were involved in the incident”.
Initial reports suggested that there was animosity between Klein and Israel’s competitor, as feelings ran high over the Israel–Gaza war.
At the Eurovision press conference on Thursday, Golan was asked if he “ever thought that by being here you bring risk and danger to the other participants and the public?”
When the Israeli singer was told by the moderator that she did not have to answer the question, Klein said: “Why not?”
Golan replied: “I think we are all here for the same reason, and one reason only, and the EBU is taking all the safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone, and so I “Think it’s safe for everyone and we wouldn’t be here [if not].”
Earlier, when Klein was asked if his song could live up to the Eurovision slogan and unite people musically, he replied: “I think that’s a good question for the EBU.”
Saturday’s grand final will now go ahead with 25 acts instead of the planned 26 acts.
It would not be possible for another act to replace Klein, partly due to the difficulty of adding new elements to the production at the last minute.
Organizers will also be unwilling to promote the 11th-place contestant eliminated from Thursday’s semi-final, as that would violate rules on disclosing the results of the public vote.
Mr Klein’s quirky “Europapa” song had originally made him one of the favorites ahead of Saturday’s final.
Before the second semi-final on 9 May, thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters took to the streets in Malmö, Sweden, where this year’s contest is being held, to protest against Israel’s participation.
Further protests are expected after Israel qualified as one of 26 countries competing in this year’s final.
