Amsterdam, May 11, 2024, The Europe Today: In a startling turn of events just hours before the Eurovision Song Contest grand final, Dutch performer Joost Klein has been disqualified from the competition, announced by the event’s organizers on Saturday. The disqualification comes amid an investigation into a backstage incident involving Klein.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the governing body behind the iconic contest, declared that Klein’s participation was untenable given the circumstances. The decision was prompted by an incident following Klein’s performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final, which led to a complaint filed by a female member of the production crew, subsequently investigated by Swedish authorities.
In an official statement, the EBU stated, “While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.”
The administrative arm of Dutch public broadcasters, NPO, expressed regret over Klein’s disqualification, deeming it a “very drastic decision” and acknowledging the disappointment it brings to Eurovision fans not only in the Netherlands but across Europe. NPO affirmed that they would conduct a thorough evaluation of the situation post-competition.
Meanwhile, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS voiced shock and discontent over the EBU’s ruling, labeling it as “disproportionate.” AVROTROS, like NPO, emphasized the significant impact of the decision on the millions of Eurovision enthusiasts and highlighted Klein’s stature as a favorite for the competition, raising hopes of a potential victory reminiscent of the Netherlands’ triumph in 2019 after a decades-long hiatus.
The Eurovision Song Contest, an annual extravaganza celebrating music and culture, relies heavily on the financial backing of national broadcasters, who collectively contribute the lion’s share of its substantial budget, estimated at over €6 billion (more than $6 billion) annually. The unexpected disqualification of Joost Klein casts a shadow over the event, leaving fans and organizers alike grappling with the implications as the competition unfolds.
