MALMO, Sweden (AP) — A Dutch public broadcaster reacted angrily after a Netherlands competitor Eurovision Song Contest The competition was dramatically abandoned following a backstage brawl just hours before the final on Saturday, which is being investigated by police.
European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovisionstated that Swedish police were investigating “a complaint made by a female member of the production crew” about Jost Klein, and that it would not be appropriate for him to participate while the legal process was ongoing.
Klein had failed to perform at two dress rehearsals in the Swedish city of Malmo on Friday, and organizers said they were investigating an “incident.” Although rumors were swirling that the incident was connected to Israel’s delegation, organizers said it “did not involve any other artist or member of the delegation.”
What to know about this year’s Eurovision Song Contest:
The EBU said that Klein would not receive any points from the national jury or the Eurovision audience, which help choose the winner, and would not appear on the Netherlands contest scoreboard. Dutch viewers will still be able to vote in the contest, as viewers from Eurovision member countries are not allowed to vote for their country’s act.
It was not clear whether Klein was still in Malmö on Saturday.
Such last-minute disqualification is unprecedented in Eurovision’s 68-year history, although countries have boycotted the event and in some cases been expelled – including Russia, which is scheduled to stage a full-scale disqualification over Ukraine in 2022. Was thrown out after the attack.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, one of dozens of public broadcasters who collectively finance and broadcast the contest, said it was “appalled by the decision.”
It later released a statement saying that as Klein came off the stage after Thursday’s semifinal, he was videotaped without his consent and instead made a “threatening gesture” toward the camera.
The broadcaster said that Klein did not touch the camera or the camerawoman, and described his expulsion as “too heavy and disproportionate” punishment.
It added, “We are deeply disappointed and upset for the millions of fans who were so excited for tonight.” “What Jost brought to the Netherlands and Europe should not have ended this way.”
The 26-year-old Dutch singer and rapper was a favorite of bookmakers as well as fans with his song “Europapa”, an upbeat Euro-techno ode to the continent’s diversity, which is a tribute to Klein’s parents. There is also a tribute. Who died in childhood itself.
Dave Adams, a British fan dressed as Klein in a blue suit with pointed shoulder pads, said he was “a little disappointed” by the disqualification.
“It’s a little disappointing, isn’t it?” He said. “(We) will see how it goes today. I’m sure there will be a good winner – hopefully anyway.”
Competition The idea of pitting nations against each other for pop music glory has already been marked by division Israel’s inclusion, it has attracted major protests From Palestinians and their supporters, who say Israel should be excluded because of its conduct war in gaza,
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This story has been corrected to show that the Dutch broadcaster is spelled AVROTROS, not AVROTOS.
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Associated Press writers Kyoung Ha and Hillary Fox in Malmo contributed to this story.
