The European Broadcasting Union (EBU),which stages the almost seven-decade-old annual music contest,issued a statement this morning confirming Klein would “not be competing in the grand final” of the contest.
Joost Klein of the Netherlands has been expelled from Eurovision.AP
Swedish police were called in two days ago after a complaint was made by a female member of the production crew. The complaint related to an incident after Klein’s performance in Friday morning’s second semi-final.
“While the legal process takes its course,it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest,” the EBU statement said.
But the Dutch delegation to the contest issued a quick response saying the EBU’s actions were excessive. “We have taken note of the disqualification,but believe the punishment is disproportionate,” the Dutch statement said.
The Dutch Eurovision commentator Cornald Maas said on social media the “incident hardly amounts to anything” but did not provide any additional detail.
Australian singer Silia Kapsis,representing Cyprus,on the Eurovision stage.AP Photo/Martin Meissner
The EBU moved relatively slowly to quash rumours that the alleged incident involved a clash between Klein and another delegation member.
Today’s statement - “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” - clearly ruled that out.
But for the two days while executives tried to deal with it behind the scenes,the absence of any official statement allowed rumours to flourish online,including claims that it involved a clash between Klein and a member of the delegation from Israel.
In part,the intense speculation over what might have happened stems from escalating tensions behind the scenes at this year’s Eurovision.
Israel’s artist Eden Golan with a delegation representative at the second semi-final press conference this week.EBU/ Sarah Louise Bennett
Klein is one of several artists who have made their disapproval of Israel’s inclusion clear. During a press conference after the second semi-final,when Israel’s artist Eden Golan was told she did not have to answer a difficult question,Klein objected.
Golan had been asked to comment on whether her presence had compromised the safety of other Eurovision contestants and the conference’s moderator,Swedish presenter Jovan Radomir,told Golan she did not have to answer if she did not want to.
At that point Joost interjected,shouting:“Why not?”
Despite the tension of the moment,Golan did answer the question. “I think we’re all here for one reason,and one reason only,” she said. “The EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone.”
Israel’s involvement in the competition has become a lightning rod of controversy for Eurovision,resulting in agitation from other artists competing in this year’s contest,and protests on the streets of Malmo,Sweden,where it is being held.
Protesters waving Palestinian flags packed the town’s historic centre earlier this week and marched through the city. At its peak,the crowd was estimated by Swedish police to be as large as 12,000 people.
Klein’s departure from the competition grand final means it will now proceed with just 25 countries represented:19 from two semi-final heats,the so-called “Big Five” - France,Germany,Spain,Italy and the UK - and the host nation,which this year is Sweden.
Australia’s Electric Fields competed but were eliminated in a tough first semi-final earlier this week. There is a second Australian competing,singer/dancer Silia Kapsis,who is representing Cyprus.
Electric Fields perform at Eurovision.AP Photo/Martin Meissner
Presently,Croatia,Israel,Switzerland,France and Ireland are leading fan polling as potential winners.
Though organisers hoped to keep politics off the stage,the tensions around Israel’s inclusion and the drama surrounding Klein’s expulsion have left the iconic song contest mired in the kind of political headlines its organisers are desperate to avoid.
Klein’s exit from Eurovision followed an emergency meeting between organisers and the president of the board of directors of the Dutch national broadcaster NPO Frederieke Leeflang.
Leeflang and EBU bosses went into a closed-door meeting at one of the delegation hotels in Malmo on Saturday afternoon,Australian time.
That meeting sealed Klein’s fate,though NPO’s position remains that the EBU’s punishment is excessive,particularly as the police investigation is still ongoing.
“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,” the EBU statement said.
“In light of this,Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of contest rules.”
The Eurovision grand final will air live on Sunday,May 12,at 5am on SBS and will be replayed at 7.30pm.
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