Eurovision participant from the Netherlands disqualified for "inappropriate behaviour"
The incident is being investigated by the police, and the media reports a conflict with a singer from Israel
The participant of the Eurovision Song Contest Joost Klein from the Netherlands has been disqualified for "inappropriate behaviour" after an incident that took place backstage. The singer admitted that he was "shocked" by the decision and called the punishment inappropriate.
Source. This was reported by the BBC.
The details of what happened backstage on Friday are being investigated by the Swedish police following a statement by one of the Eurovision staff. Local press reported that Klein had a quarrel with someone from the TV crew.
The organisers said that no other performers or delegation members were involved in the altercation. Rumours about this emerged because at the time of the incident, Israeli singer Eden Golan was backstage preparing for the rehearsal with Klein. The two have long had a tense relationship because of the war in Gaza, the press reported.
The Swedish police, meanwhile, reported that they had received a complaint from the complainant about "threats from her husband" after the semi-final on Thursday. The police have completed their investigation and promise to hand the case over to the prosecutor within a few weeks.
"While the proceedings are ongoing, we consider it inappropriate for him to continue participating in the contest," said the Eurovision organiser, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
"We have a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff members. In light of this, Jost Klein's behaviour towards a team member is considered a breach of the contest rules."
News of the scandal broke on Friday afternoon during the first dress rehearsal for Saturday's final.
The props for Klein's performance were already being set up on the stage of the Malmö arena when the order came to remove them. His song was skipped without explanation, and Eden Golan from Israel sang the next song.
It is impossible to replace Klein with another participant, according to the organisers. Therefore, 25 artists will now take part in Saturday's final instead of the planned 26.
The Eurovision Song Contest final will start on Saturday night at 22.00 Kyiv time. Ukraine is represented by Jerry Hale and Alyona Alyona with the song "Teresa and Maria", which is ranked quite high in the bookmakers' forecasts.
Background. As reported, Israel has agreed to revise the lyrics of its Eurovision song, which contains hints of a Hamas attack.
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