Eurovision final: Netherlands axed as Swedish police investigate incident with female crew member
A Eurovision finalist has been axed from the contest as Swedish police investigate an incident involving a female member of the production crew.
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Netherlands singer Joost Klein has been booted from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest as Swedish police investigate an incident involving a female member of the production crew.
Only 25 artists will now compete in the grand final at Malmo Arena in Sweden.
It is the first time in the contest’s 68 year history that a country has been disqualified from competing in the Eurovision grand final after winning selection in the semi final.
The EBU issued a statement announcing Klein, whose Europapa has been a popular song among fans, was out about nine hours before the grand final kick-off.
“Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final,” the statement said.
“While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.
“We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest.
“In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.”
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS called the disqualification a “heavy and disproportionate” response.
The network claimed Klein had been filmed without permission by the EBU staff member as he raced off stage from his semi-final performance, breaching an “agreement” to not shoot him backstage.
“This led to a threatening movement from Joost towards the camera. Joost did not touch the camera woman,” the broadcaster said.
The singer, whose madcap song Europapa has been a favourite during this year’s competition took part in the flag ceremony to open the show at the first rehearsal on Friday.
But he did not take the stage to perform his song.
He was scheduled to perform fifth after Luxembourg and before Israel.
The Europapa props were being set up on stage before a production manager directed them to be removed.
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— ×›×ן חדשות (@kann_news) May 10, 2024
Klein was later suspended from performing from the second dress rehearsal which serves as the all-important “jury show.”
This is watched by the jury members of the 37 countries participating in the 2024 contest who then cast their votes which are tallied during the grand final on Sunday.
Those jury members, who watch a private link broadcast from Malmo Arena, will now view a video of Klein’s performance at the second semi inserted into the live show.
Their votes make up 50 per cent of the total to decide the grand final winner, with viewers votes accounting for the other 50 per cent.
The organisers did not give any further information about the nature of the incident.
Sources said the other 25 artists who performed during the rehearsal were not privy to what happened.
The last minute change would suggest something happened after the flag ceremony as the acts waited backstage to perform.
There has been tension between the delegations of Netherlands and Israel, with Klein covering his head with a flag when Russian Israeli singer Eden Golan was asked a question about the heightened security for the contest due to her presence in Malmo at the post second semi press conference on Thursday.
A video uploaded by Israel broadcaster Kan News showed an altercation between Israeli news anchor Dov Gil-Har and members of the Netherlands delegation after the semi final.
ISRAEL CONTESTANT BOOED
Earlier, Israel’s Eden Golan drew protests from audience members during the second semi-final of Eurovision 2024 in Malmo after a chorus of loud boos and Free Palestine chants at her dress rehearsal.
Those inside the Malmo Arena said there was audible booing and some audience members turned their backs to the stage during the televised semi on Friday.
“Eden stood on the stage during the dress rehearsal with pride and gave an incredible performance. They did not silence her and they will not silence us,” the broadcaster posted.
Controversy also erupted at the post semi final press conference.
Golan said she was “so overwhelmed with emotions” to make the grand final and it was “an honour to be here performing on stage and showing our voice and representing us with pride.”
The singer was then asked if she thought her presence in Malmo presented a safety risk to other participants and the public.
The conference host interjected to tell Golan she didn’t have to answer the question if she didn’t want to, and then shifted and said she could if she was inclined.
Golan said she believed the European Broadcasting Union which organises Eurovision had taken all necessary security measures to make the event safe for everyone.
“I think we are all here for one reason and one reason only, and the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone, so I think it’s safe for everyone and we wouldn’t be here for any other reason,” she said.
Police and undercover security dispersed pro-Palestinian protesters earlier with flags outside the venue before the show after a day of unrest and a march in the city’s centre attended by Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.
Despite the controversy about Israel’s inclusion in this year’s singing Olympics as the conflict in Gaza continues, the second semi-final proceeded without drama.
The Israeli delegation were forced to change the title and tweak lyrics of her entry song, originally called October Rain, to avoid potential disqualification as they appeared to reference the October 7 terrorist attack in breach of the contest’s rules about political content.
The 20-year-old singer has been staying at a secret location and police and military forces stationed throughout the southern Swedish city as marches continue protesting Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2024 as the war in Gaza continues to rage.
In an interview with Reuters, Golan said she was focusing on the contest motto United By Music.
“It’s up to the people what to do. They have the right to speak their voice, but I’m focusing on my part which is giving the best performance, and on the good, on the good vibes, the good people,” she said.
Fans attending the second semi-final were subject to heightened security measures and bag searches to prevent any pro-Palestine flags or signs being brought into the arena while undercover security were stationed throughout the crowd to curb potential stage invasions or other unrest.
There is speculation the Swedish broadcaster SVT will mute any boos or Free Palestine chants during the second semi-final broadcast.
Golan was one of the 10 singers who televoters chose to go through to the weekend’s grand final.
The other nine countries who will sing off for the Eurovision crystal microphone trophy are Latvia, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Greece, Estonia, Switzerland, Georgia and Armenia.
EUROVISION GRAND FINAL FULL LIST
Sweden: Marcus & Martinus — Unforgettable
Ukraine: alyona alyona & Jerry Heil — Teresa & Maria
Germany: ISAAK — Always On The Run
Luxembourg: TALI — Fighter
Netherlands: Joost Klein — Europapa
Israel: Eden Golan — Hurricane
Lithuania: Silvester Belt — Luktelk
Spain: Nebulossa — ZORRA
Estonia: 5MIINUST x Puuluup — (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi
Ireland: Bambie Thug — Doomsday Blue
Latvia: Dons — Hollow
Greece: Marina Satti — ZARI
United Kingdom: Olly Alexander — Dizzy
Norway: Gåte — Ulveham
Italy: Angelina Mango — La Noia
Serbia: TEYA DORA — RAMONDA
Finland: Windows95man — No Rules!
Portugal: iolanda — Grito
Armenia: LADANIVA — Jako
Cyprus: Silia Kapsis — Liar
Switzerland: Nemo — The Code
Slovenia: Raiven — Veronika
Croatia: Baby Lasagna — Rim Tim Tagi Dim
Georgia: Nutsa Buzaladze — Firefighter
France: Slimane — Mon Amour
Austria: Kaleen — We Will Rave
Watch the Eurovision 2024 Grand Final on Sunday at 5am and again at 7.30pm AEST.
Originally published as Eurovision final: Netherlands axed as Swedish police investigate incident with female crew member
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