11 May 2024 , 12:12
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Eurovision fans have been left fuming as EBU kicked one country out of the contest just hours before the grand final.
Joost Klein, the Netherlands entrant for this year's Eurovision Song Contest, will not perform at tonight's final after Swedish police investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew.
A statement from the European Broadcasting Union said: "The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final.
"While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest. We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.
"We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules. The Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now proceed with 25 participating songs."
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However, some fans of the singing competition have been left disappointed by the news. Taking to X, one fan said: "DISQUALIFIED?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? So there was no physical altercation, just "words"." "The saddest thing: Europapa is probably the entry with the most important message for Eurovision and Europe in general. And now this exact entry gets disqualified... This edition is so fu**ing cursed #Eurovision #Eurovision2024,\" another wrote.
Joost Klein won't be performing now (TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Ima)A third commented: "Joost Klein disqualified. Disproportionate and disgraceful decision EBU." As another said: "Joost Klein getting disqualified is the stupidest cr*p I've seen all year. @Eurovision bring him back. #justiceforjoostklein." One angry fan fumed: "Tonight is going to be a sh**show and it's all thanks to the EBU for allowing Israel to compete! Well done EBU. Your actions have consequences and they're starting to show #Eurovision #Eurovision2024."
Meanwhile Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said that it finds Joost Klein’s disqualification from the Eurovision Song Contest over allegations of inappropriate behaviour to a member of staff at the contest "disproportionate". In a statement on X, aka Twitter the Netherlands’ delegation’s official page Songfestival said: "We have taken note of the disqualification by the EBU. @AVROTROS finds the disqualification disproportionate and is shocked by the decision. We deeply regret this and will come back to this later."
The televised final at the Malmo Arena in Sweden will see acts from the big five countries – the UK, France, Spain, Germany and Italy – joined by reigning champions Sweden and 20 qualifying countries to perform in a bid to win the title. UK contestant Olly Alexander is hoping to impress in the final with his song Dizzy, featuring an upside-down dressing room staging and cameras rotating to create a spinning feel.