Eurovision Contestant Joost Klein Disqualified in Shocking Turn of Events

The Eurovision Song Contest faced a new problem on Saturday when the Dutch participant was disqualified just hours before the final. The reason for this was an incident backstage involving a female crew member.

The European Broadcasting Union, the organization behind the event held this year in Malmo, Sweden, stated that the singer Joost Klein was being investigated by the police for the incident. As a result, it was decided that it would not be suitable for him to take part in the competition.

The EBU has addressed the situation involving a female crew member's complaint following an incident that occurred after the Thursday night Semi Final performance. Swedish police have conducted an investigation in response to the complaint. As the legal process unfolds, the EBU has deemed it inappropriate for the individual to continue participating in the Contest.

According to a statement from a spokeswoman for the Swedish Police Authority sent to CNN, a man is being suspected of making unlawful threats. The alleged crime took place at Malmo Arena on Thursday evening.

“The man is questioned by the police but not detained,” she added.

CNN has approached Klein’s team for comment.

AVROTROS, the Dutch public broadcaster, expressed criticism towards the EBU for removing Klein from the contest. In a statement, AVROTROS stated that they believe the disqualification is excessive and were surprised by the decision.

The incident occurred amidst ongoing debate about Israel's involvement in the competition. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Malmo had been protesting regularly leading up to the event. The EBU clarified that Klein's disqualification was specific to her and did not impact any other participants or members of another country's delegation.

The EBU reported that the incident involving Klein occurred on Thursday evening following the second semi-final. Rumors started circulating among delegations and press in Malmo on Friday afternoon when Klein did not perform as expected during a dress rehearsal. He was supposed to rehearse right before the Israeli entry, Eden Golan, sparking unconfirmed speculation about a possible connection between the two events.

Golan's entry has caused division in the contest, which is centered around the motto "united by music." The EBU requested Israel to change the lyrics of their song, originally titled "October Rain," as they deemed it too political.

The contest has been pressured by some fans and pro-Palestinian activists to ban Israel, similar to Russia being banned in 2022 for invading Ukraine.

Thousands of protesters are expected to gather at the Malmo Arena for the final on Saturday night. The EBU is concerned that Israel might win the competition.

The atmosphere in Malmo has been tense, leading Swedish police to deploy extra officers to the city. Armed police are stationed at various intersections, and additional security has been put in place around the hotel where the Israeli delegation is accommodated. Security personnel are also patrolling the venue where the official after-show parties are being held.

Israel's advancement to the final was confirmed on Thursday, following which Italy's broadcaster, RAI, mistakenly disclosed what seemed to be the outcome of the public's televote. The data indicated that Israel had garnered 39% of the public's vote, resulting in a significant victory. RAI admitted the error, stating that the information was released accidentally and later clarified that the data was incomplete. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) reprimanded RAI for violating the competition rules.

The competition, known for avoiding political discussions, has now been impacted by the aftermath of Israel's war in Gaza. The military actions in Gaza, a response to attacks by Hamas, have resulted in the deaths of over 34,000 Palestinians, with at least 1,200 casualties and 250 hostages during the October 7 attacks on Israel.

Participants in the competition have been pressured to share their opinions on the conflict and Israel's involvement. Golan, one of the participants, faced booing from certain audience members during her performance for the jury on Wednesday night.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

Editor's P/S:

The Eurovision Song Contest's disqualification of the Dutch participant, Joost Klein, is a disappointing incident that raises concerns about the event's ability to remain impartial. The allegations of Klein's inappropriate behavior are serious, but the decision to disqualify him based solely on an ongoing police investigation seems hasty. The EBU's failure to provide more details or allow Klein to defend himself casts doubt on the fairness of the process.

The ongoing tension surrounding Israel's participation in the contest further complicates the situation. Pro-Palestinian protests and the alleged connection between Klein's disqualification and Israel's entry suggest that political factors are influencing the competition. The EBU's request for Israel to change their song's lyrics and the pressure on participants to express their views on the conflict have undermined the stated goal of uniting countries through music. It is crucial for Eurovision to remain a platform for cultural exchange and entertainment, free from political interference.