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Joost Klein is not allowed to compete for the Netherlands in the ESC 2024 final. Now details about the allegations against the “Europa” singer are leaking out.
Update from May 11, 2024, 6:35 p.m.: Now the Dutch TV station AvroTros is reacting to the allegations against singer Joost Klein. “After the performance last Thursday, an incident occurred. Contrary to clear agreements, Joost was filmed when he had just come off the stage and had to rush into the green room,” the broadcaster writes in a statement, which, among other things, shows De Telegraaf quoted. “At this point, Joost has repeatedly indicated that he does not want to be filmed. This was ignored. This caused Joost to make a threatening movement towards the camera. Joost did not touch the camerawoman,” it continues. However, the incident was reported and the police are investigating.
First report from May 11, 2024: Malmö – In almost 70 years Eurovision Song Contest This has never happened before: just a few hours before the start of the big ESC final in Malmö, the Dutch candidate Joost Klein (26) was excluded from taking part. Despite the potential to be favorites, the Netherlands will not take part in the 68th ESC. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced this on Saturday afternoon.
The ESC final will take place this year with only 25 instead of 26 countries, as the EBU wrote in a statement on Saturday. The reason is the disqualification of the Dutch candidate Joost Klein, who had actually secured a place in the final in the second semi-final. However, an incident is said to have occurred after his appearance on Thursday evening, which was initially not detailed. The only thing that was clear until Saturday afternoon was that the 26-year-old was not allowed to take part in the two rehearsals for the ESC final due to police investigations.
Incident with production employee after ESC semi-final: Dutchman Joost Klein disqualified
Now that Joost Klein is officially not allowed to sing in the final of the ESC 2024, there is further background to the incident: Apparently a woman from the production team has lodged a complaint against the Dutchman. The EBU also confirms this: “Swedish police have investigated a complaint from a female member of the production team following an incident following his appearance in the semi-finals on Thursday evening,” the statement said. While the police are investigating, it is not appropriate for the singer to “continue to take part in the competition”.
The EBU also says it has a “zero tolerance policy” towards inappropriate behavior at the Eurovision Song Contest and strives to provide a safe working environment for all employees. This was no longer guaranteed, at least for one employee – the Dutch artist’s behavior was “considered a violation of the competition rules”.
Investigations against ESC singer Joost Klein: Police provide initial details on allegations against Dutch people
The EBU has not yet provided details of the allegations. The Swedish tabloid Aftonbladet claims to have learned that Joost Klein became physical with the production employee. This has not yet been confirmed by the police or other sources. The Swedish TV channel SVT However, reports of criminally prosecutable threats against an employee that Klein is said to have made after the semi-finals on Thursday in Malmö.
Malmö police spokesman Pelle Vamstad told the news agency AFP Regarding the allegations against Klein: “The police are investigating intimidation.” The crime was committed on Thursday evening in the Malmö Arena. The suspect was interviewed and is not in custody.
Speculation about the scandal between Joost Klein and ESC participant Eden Golan is probably wrong
The Dutch ESC candidate also attracted unpleasant attention, for example at a joint press conference with Eden Golan from Israel. There was previously speculation on social media whether this behavior could be the reason for the investigations against Joost Klein. However, the EBU disputed these rumors, writing: “We would like to clarify that, contrary to some media reports and speculation on social media, no other artists or delegation members were involved in this incident.” (nbe/dpa)