Inside Dutch Eurovision star’s controversial axing: Joost Klein receives the backing of his country despite being banned from competition over complaint from female crew member

Eurovision fans were shocked on Friday Dutch contender Joost Klein was dropped from the competition just one day before the grand final.

The 26-year-old rapper and singer entered with the song Europapa, a tribute to his deceased parents, and had qualified for the live final in the Malmo Arena on Thursday evening. Sweden.

Joost was later told he could no longer participate after being questioned by police about an incident involving “a female member of the production crew.”

His participation was already in doubt after he failed to perform during two dress rehearsals early Friday before it was officially announced that he was no longer on the show.

So why was Joost Klein excluded from the competition and what has the reaction been like since then?

Why was he suspended?

The Swedish police announced on Friday that they were investigating Joost following a complaint from ‘a female member of the production crew’ about an incident after his performance in the semi-final.

This latest development plunged the show into further chaos, with organizers already on alert for the final and erecting a huge ring of steel barriers around the competition venue in preparation for a planned protest.

There was also a heavy police presence as thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators were expected to descend on the Swedish city of Malmö, where the final was taking place, to repeat calls to ban Israeli singer Eden Golan from taking part.

Golan has become a lightning rod for criticism from protesters who demanded she be excluded from the competition, while others have called for a boycott of the famed Eurovision Song Contest and a ceasefire in the seven-month war in Gaza.

The 20-year-old contestant also prepared herself for a fiery reception when she was filmed rehearsing her power ballad Hurricane, while other members of her team tried to throw her off with loud boos and pro-Palestinian chants.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced on Saturday that Klein would no longer participate just hours before the final was due to take place.

A statement from the EBU said: ‘The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not participate in the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest this year.

The 26-year-old rapper and singer entered with the song Europapa, a tribute to his late parents, and had qualified for the live final at the Malmö Arena in Sweden on Thursday evening

‘Swedish police have investigated a complaint filed by a female member of the production crew following an incident following his performance in Thursday evening’s semi-final.

“Although the legal proceedings have taken their course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue with the match.

“We would like to clarify that, contrary to some media reports and speculation on social media, no other artist or delegation member was involved in this incident.

‘We have a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe working environment for all staff at the competition.

‘In light of this, Joost Klein’s behavior towards a team member is considered to be in breach of the competition rules.

‘The grand final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now go ahead with 25 participating songs.’

Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said it found Klein’s disqualification from the competition ‘disproportionate’.

In a statement on X, formerly Twitter, the official page of the Dutch delegation, Eurovision Song Contest, said: ‘We have taken note of the disqualification by the EBU. @AVROTROS finds the disqualification disproportionate and is shocked by the decision. We deeply regret this and will return to this later.’

Joost Klein was disqualified after an alleged incident involving a cameraman backstage

His time in the league

The Dutch singer was one of the bookmakers’ favorites to win the competition with his playful pop-rap song Europapa, which combines pop melodies with upbeat hardcore and was described by one critic as ‘so bad’ that it ‘puts you out of music forever’ will hold off. ‘.

But the incident undermined his chances of winning the match after he reportedly disagreed with a cameraman over an incident backstage.

Klein, who lost his parents at a young age, said the song is about an orphan who travels through Europe in search of himself, as his father taught him to believe in a Europe without borders.

Klein failed to perform during dress rehearsals on Friday following the incident on Thursday; Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has criticized the “disproportionate” actions of the EBU, saying it would be “inappropriate” for the artist to compete.

Klein had already courted controversy after clashing with Israeli newcomer Eden Golan, whose song Hurricane had to be rewritten and renamed after it appeared to allude to the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

When Golan was told on Thursday that she did not have to answer a question about whether she felt her presence posed a risk to other Eurovision artists, Klein snapped: “Why not?” and covered his head as she spoke.

Golan replied, “I think we are all here for one reason, and one reason only. The EBU is taking all safety measures to make this a safe and united place for everyone.

“So I think it’s safe for everyone, otherwise we wouldn’t be here.”

The singer clashed with Israeli Eden Golan (right) during a press conference on Thursday after she was asked a question about the safety of other artists

The Dutch singer was one of the bookmakers’ favorites to win the competition with his playful pop-rap song Europapa, which combines pop melodies with upbeat hardcore and was described by one critic as ‘so bad’ that it ‘puts you out of music forever’ will hold off. ‘

What has the response been like since then?

More than 175,000 fans have signed a petition calling for the rapper to be reinserted into the competition, but the organizer has admitted defeat, writing online: ‘Unfortunately we did not attract the attention of the EBU, but we will always love show for Joost.’

Fans continue to show their support for the contestant, with some claiming he is ‘the real winner’ – despite Swiss Nemo taking home the trophy during Saturday’s final.

One wrote on social media platform X: ‘We support you’;

‘Thank you Joost, for bringing Europe together. Shame on you EBU!’;

‘I’m so sad for him’;

‘Joost you will be known as the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024’

A petition demanding Klein’s reinstatement has collected more than 175,000 signatures

But the author has admitted that the plea has fallen on deaf ears and grumbles: ‘Unfortunately we have not attracted the attention of the EBU’

Fans continue to show their support for the contestant, with some claiming he is ‘the real winner’ – despite Switzerland’s Nemo taking home the trophy in Saturday’s final