Published 2024-05-11 12.17
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The Netherlands is disqualified from competing in the Eurovision song contest.
This after the artist Joost Klein is being investigated for illegal threats following accusations of having been violent towards a person in the production.
Here are five points about the drama.
1. This is how it all began
Artist of the Netherlands Joost Klein, 26, was in the opening flag parade on the Eurovision stage during the daytime rep on Thursday. But then he never performed his song “Europapa”.
According to information to Aftonbladet, Joost Klein is accused of having been violent towards a woman in the television production. The EBU confirms it is investigating “an incident” involving the Dutch artist.
Half an hour before the second genre rep in the evening came the EBU’s message: Klein will not be allowed to participate in this genre rep either.
Aftonbladet has as its only media met Joost Klein since the allegations against him became known. See the video here.
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full screen Photo: Jimmy Wixtröm
2. Voting suspended
According to Aftonbladet’s experience, the EBU has held several crisis meetings in connection with the Malmö arena following the accusations against Joost Klein.
Eurovision’s new “Rest of the World” voting was supposed to open at midnight, according to previous announcements from the EBU, but was stopped.
This is because the EBU does not want to risk having to deal with fans paying money to vote for an artist who might be kicked out of the competition.
3. Joost Klein’s anger – and the tributes
Friday’s canceled rehearsal doesn’t seem to have gone down well with Klein. In social media, he shows anger.
He has stopped following Eurovision on Instagram and deleted stories about the competition, reports De Telegraaf. The Dutch flag must also have been taken down from the door of the artist’s box.
At the same time, several followers show their support for Joost Klein. During the artist’s latest post on Instagram, several heart emojis and Dutch flags are visible.
4. The police: Suspected of illegal threats
Late on Friday evening, the police confirmed that they are questioning the people involved. At the moment, there is no criminal suspicion, was the announcement at the time.
On Saturday morning, the police announced that a preliminary investigation has been launched into illegal threats after the “incident” during Eurovision.
The police’s investigation is complete and the case is now under prosecution.
– They will have to review what the next step in this is, says Evelina Olsson, police spokesperson.
5. EBU’s message: Joost Klein diskas
Barely an hour before the genre rep, the EBU announced that Joost Klein is disqualified from the Eurovision final.
“The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not compete in the final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest,” writes a spokesperson for the European Television Union in a statement.
“While the legal process is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for him to continue in the competition.”
You can read more about it here.
This is Joost Klein
Joost Klein, 26, grew up with his brother and sister in the Dutch village of Britsum. When he was only 12 years old, he lost his father to cancer and shortly afterwards also his mother to a cardiac arrest.
To express his grief, Klein began making music. Initially, he started a YouTube channel under the name EenhoornJoost where he released his music.
In the song ”Florida 2009″ he sings, among other things, about what it was like to attend the cremations of his parents. Even the Eurovision entry “Europapa” is a tribute to the parents.
“It’s a poem to them, that’s how I write things down,” he said at the launch of the song, according to the magazine Flair.
