A Dutch public broadcaster reacted angrily after the Netherlands’ contestant within the Eurovision Song Contest was dramatically expelled from the competitors hours earlier than Saturday’s last over a backstage incident that’s being investigated by police.
The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, mentioned Swedish police had been investigating “a complaint made by a female member of the production crew” about Joost Klein, and it could not be acceptable for him to take part whereas the authorized course of was underway.
Klein had did not carry out at two costume rehearsals on Friday within the Swedish metropolis of Malmo, and organizers had mentioned they had been investigating an “incident.” Though rumors had been flying the incident was linked to Israel’s delegation, organizers mentioned the incident “did not involve any other performer or delegation member.”
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It was unclear whether or not Klein was nonetheless in Malmo on Saturday.
Such a last-minute disqualification is unprecedented within the 68-year historical past of Eurovision, though international locations have boycotted the occasion and in some circumstances been expelled — together with Russia, kicked out after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTOS, certainly one of dozens of public broadcasters that collectively fund and broadcast the competition, mentioned it “finds the disqualification disproportionate and is shocked by the decision.”
“We deeply regret this and will come back to this later,” it mentioned in an announcement.
The 26-year-old Dutch singer and rapper had been a bookies’ favorite, in addition to a fan favorite, together with his tune “Europapa,” an upbeat Euro-techno ode to the continent that can be a tribute to Klein’s dad and mom who died when he was a toddler.
The competitors that pits nations towards each other for pop music glory has already been marked by division over the inclusion of Israel. It has attracted giant protests from Palestinians and their supporters, who say Israel needs to be excluded due to its conduct of the struggle towards Hamas.
© 2024 The Canadian Press