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A Dutch public broadcaster reacted angrily after the Netherlands’ contestant within the Eurovision Music Contest was dramatically expelled from the competitors hours earlier than Saturday’s remaining over a backstage incident that’s being investigated by police.
The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes Eurovision, mentioned Swedish police have been investigating “a criticism made by a feminine member of the manufacturing crew” about Joost Klein, and it could not be acceptable for him to take part whereas the authorized course of was underway.
Klein had didn’t carry out at two costume rehearsals on Friday within the Swedish metropolis of Malmo, and organizers had mentioned they have been investigating an “incident.” Although rumors had been flying the incident was linked to Israel’s delegation, organizers mentioned the incident “didn’t contain another performer or delegation member.”
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It was unclear whether or not Klein was nonetheless in Malmo on Saturday.
Such a last-minute disqualification is unprecedented within the 68-year historical past of Eurovision, though international locations have boycotted the occasion and in some instances been expelled — together with Russia, kicked out after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Dutch broadcaster AVROTOS, one in all dozens of public broadcasters that collectively fund and broadcast the competition, mentioned it “finds the disqualification disproportionate and is shocked by the choice.”
“We deeply remorse this and can come again to this later,” it mentioned in a press release.
The 26-year-old Dutch singer and rapper had been a bookies’ favorite, in addition to a fan favorite, along with his music “Europapa,” an upbeat Euro-techno ode to the continent that can also be a tribute to Klein’s mother and father who died when he was a baby.
The competitors that pits nations in opposition to each other for pop music glory has already been marked by division over the inclusion of Israel. It has attracted giant protests from Palestinians and their supporters, who say Israel ought to be excluded due to its conduct of the conflict in opposition to Hamas.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
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