By Zuhal Demirci
LONDON (AA) – Dutch representative Joost Klein was disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 just hours before the final due to a violation of competition rules, according to the organizers.
The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS also reported that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) disqualified Dutch artist Klein from Eurovision.
The official Dutch broadcaster of the event, AVROTROS, expressed dissatisfaction with the organizers' decision, saying, "AVROTROS finds the penalty very heavy and disproportionate. We are very disappointed and upset for the millions of fans who were so excited for tonight."
Klein was filmed as he exited the stage following his performance, despite his expressed disinterest in being filmed at the time, the broadcaster said, adding that the artist's request was not followed, resulting in a threatening gesture toward the cameraman.
"Joost did not touch the camera woman. This incident was reported, followed by an investigation by the EBU and police," it added.
Comprehensive consultations with the EBU were held on Friday, and AVROTROS proposed several solutions, but the EBU ultimately decided to disqualify Klein, according to the statement.
However, the EBU said the Dutch representative’s conduct "towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules."
"We are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest," it added.
And AVROTROS said in the same statement, "We stand for good manners -let there be no misunderstanding about that- but in our view, an exclusion order is not proportional to this incident."
"What Joost brought to the Netherlands and Europe shouldn't have ended this way," it added.
- Klein questioned participation of Israeli representative
Earlier on Friday, before the final competition in Malmo, Sweden, a Polish journalist at a press conference asked Israeli representative Eden Golan if she thought her participation posed a security risk to other competitors.
Swedish host Jovan Radomir immediately intervened, telling Golan that she "did not have to answer the question," while Dutch representative Klein asked loudly, "Why not?"
*Writing by Gizem Nisa Cebi in Istanbul