Joost Klein throughout the Eurovision Music Contest’s press convention on February 29, 2024 (Getty)
Whereas most Eurovision followers are nonetheless too busy celebrating Swiss artist Nemo changing into the primary non-binary entrant to ever win the long-lasting tune contest, others have one thing else on their minds, specifically: Why was the Netherlands disqualified from Eurovision 2024?
The reply isn’t totally clear at this level, as there’s presently an lively investigation going down. Nonetheless, what we do know is that the EBU, the organisers of Eurovision, say that the Netherlands entry Joost Klein’s disqualification was on account of a backstage incident involving a feminine member of the manufacturing crew.
The Dutch broadcaster Avrotros has mentioned it’s “shocked” by the choice to drop Klein from the ultimate, saying that the singer had merely made a “threatening transfer” in direction of a camerawoman however not touched her.
Within the UK, as in lots of different international locations, an assault is legally outlined as “when somebody bodily assaults you, or threatens to assault you.”
Eurovision’s organisers mentioned in an announcement: “Swedish police have investigated a criticism made by a feminine member of the manufacturing crew after an incident following (Klein’s) efficiency in Thursday evening’s semi-final.
“Whereas the authorized course of takes its course, it might not be acceptable for him to proceed within the contest. We preserve a zero-tolerance coverage in direction of inappropriate behaviour at our occasion and are dedicated to offering a secure and safe surroundings.”
Klein had certified for the competition’s Grand Closing together with his tune “Europapa” – a robust ode to European free motion – and was seen as one of many frontrunners to win Eurovision’s 68th version, however wasn’t at Friday’s gown rehearsals. He was subsequently faraway from the Grand Closing operating order.
It’s the very first time in Eurovision’s 68-year historical past {that a} contestant has been disqualified after the beginning of the five-day occasion.
Of their assertion in regards to the incident, Dutch broadcaster Avrotros continued: “Towards the clearly made settlement, Joost was filmed when he had simply gotten off stage and needed to rush to the inexperienced room. At that second, Joost repeatedly indicated that he didn’t wish to be filmed. This wasn’t revered.”
Avrotros additionally say it provided “a number of options” to the EBU (the Eurovision Broadcasting Union), which determined to disqualify Joost Klein anyway.