Dutch artist Joost Klein has been disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest following a backstage incident. The disqualification came after a female member of the production crew accused Klein of intimidation, leading to his removal from the contest by the contest organizers. Dutch broadcaster Avrtotros criticized Klein’s exclusion, calling it disproportionate.
Klein, a favorite to win this year’s contest with his song “Europapa,” dedicated the song to his late father. Now 26, Klein had promised his father that he would one day perform on the Eurovision stage.
The incident that led to Klein’s suspension occurred during the first dress rehearsal for Saturday’s grand final at the Malmö Arena. Following the incident, the European Broadcasting Union announced that Klein would not be participating in the final, citing a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior.
Reports suggest that the incident involved Klein and a member of the television production team and not any other contestants or delegation members. Despite the disqualification, Dutch viewers can still vote, and the Dutch jury result from the second dress rehearsal remains valid.
With Klein’s disqualification, Saturday’s grand final will proceed with 25 acts instead of the planned 26, as organizers deemed it impractical to replace him at the last minute. The decision to remove Klein from the contest so close to the final is unprecedented, as past disqualifications have typically occurred at earlier stages of the competition.
