In a surprising turn of events at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, Dutch artist Joost Klein has been excluded from participating in the crucial jury show, which determines half of the contest’s final points. The decision was made following an undisclosed incident, currently under investigation by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
According to AVROTROS, the Dutch broadcaster, the EBU has not granted permission for Klein to partake in tonight’s performance at the Malmö Arena, where the jury would have evaluated his act from the second semi-final. This development puts a significant damper on Klein’s chances, as tonight’s jury show plays a pivotal role in the final scoring.
Details about the incident remain scant, with the EBU and AVROTROS providing no confirmation of the nature of the allegations. Swedish media, citing rumors, suggest a possible violent incident involving Klein, but these claims remain unverified. As the investigation continues, the EBU mentions ongoing discussions with AVROTROS, with no clear timeline for a resolution.
For now a statement says:
The investigation into the incident with the Dutch artist in the incident with the Dutch artist in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest is still ongoing. Discussion are also taking place between the EBU and AVROTROS, the Dutch participating boradcaster.
While the investigation continues the EBU has decided that Joost Klein will not perform during Dress Reharsal 2 of the competition which is voted on by juries in the 37 participating countries.
His performance from Semi Final 2 will be used instead.
This situation is unprecedented in Eurovision’s 68-year history, with no country ever having been disqualified during the event itself. The closest precedent was Belarus’s exclusion in 2021 due to the political implications of their intended song.
As the Eurovision community awaits further updates, our thoughts are with the Dutch team and their supporters. We at Eurovoxx stand with the people of the Netherlands during this challenging time and promise to keep you updated on this developing story.
What are your thoughts on this situation? Do you think Eurovision is handling it appropriately? Share your views and show your support for the Dutch team in the comments below.
For more in-depth coverage and latest updates on this situation, follow the full story here.
