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\n\tUPDATE<\/strong>: Dutch singer-rapper Joost Klein has been ejected from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with just hours to go before the annual competition\u2019s grand final in Malm\u00f6, Sweden. On Saturday (May 11), less than 24 hours after the European Broadcast Union announced that Klein had been suspended from rehearsals, the EBU released a statement revealing that Klein, competing for the Netherlands, had been booted from Eurovision following \u201ca complaint made by a female member of the production crew\u201d that Swedish police are investigating. <\/p>\n \n\t\u201cWhile the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest,\u201d reads the EBU statement, which also made clear that Klein\u2019s disqualification \u2014 and the accusations against him \u2014 \u201cdid not involve any other performer or delegation member.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tFollowing Klein\u2019s disqualification, points awards to the Netherlands during the dress rehearsals will be revoked, and the Netherlands won\u2019t be able to receive any public votes. The running order will proceed as before, minus the Netherlands. <\/p>\n \n\tRead the full statement from the EBU below:<\/p>\n \n\tThe Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year\u2019s Eurovision Song Contest.<\/em><\/p>\n \n\tSwedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night\u2019s Semi Final. While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.<\/em><\/p>\n \n\tWe 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.<\/em><\/p>\n \n\tWe 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. In light of this, Joost Klein\u2019s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.<\/em><\/p>\n \n\tThe Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now proceed with 25 participating songs. \n\tOriginal May 10 article:<\/strong> Joost Klein, the Netherlands\u2019 representative in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, is being investigated by the European Broadcasting Union for an \u201cincident.\u201d No details have been made public yet, but Klein is suspended from rehearsals. It is not known if he will be able to continue in the competition.<\/p>\n \n\tThe EBU statement did not shine much light on the situation: \u201cWe are investigating an incident reported to us concerning the Dutch artist. He will not be rehearsing until further notice. We have no further comment at this time and will update in due course.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe second dress rehearsal for the grand final is now underway at the Malm\u00f6 Arena in Sweden. The Netherlands is in fifth position. Nothing will seem amiss in the venue. SVT, the Swedish TV broadcaster, will use Klein\u2019s rehearsal from semi-final 2 unless the incident is cleared up in the next few minutes. The EBU is in talks with Dutch broadcaster Avrotros.<\/p>\n \n\tThe broadcast begins with the traditional \u201cflag parade,\u201d with the artists striding on the stage in performance order. Klein appeared in the ceremony in the first dress rehearsal on Friday (May 10) afternoon. When it was time for him to perform, his stage props were being set up on stage when they were suddenly removed. He was absent from the evening rehearsal flag ceremony. The voiceover announcer proclaimed, \u201cNetherlands,\u201d but no one appeared to show off the nation\u2019s flag.<\/p>\n \n\tThe dress rehearsal currently underway is an important one; the national juries are watching and will cast their votes tonight.<\/p>\n \n\tWhile details about the incident are not known, Billboard<\/em> got wind of speculation that there was a backstage incident between Klein and someone working on the show \u2014 but cannot confirm anything. There was tension between Klein and Israel\u2019s singer, Eden Golan, at a Thursday (May 9) night press conference for the 10 qualifying countries in semi-final 2. Golan was asked if her presence at the contest presented a security risk.<\/p>\n \n\tThe moderator told Golan she need not answer, and Klein shouted out, \u201cWhy not?\u201d Golan then voluntarily said that the EBU was committed to a safe and inclusive environment for all. The assembled press corps burst into applause.<\/p>\n \n\tIsrael follows Netherlands in the running order, so it is likely that the two artists were in close proximity during the afternoon rehearsal.<\/p>\n
ESC Communications Team.<\/em><\/p>\n