Eurovision Shocker as Dutch Competitor is Booted Hours Before Grand Finale

The Eurovision Song Contest is no stranger to controversy and mid-competition surprises. The nearly 70-year annual singing event, which spawned a 2020 movie starring Will Farrell and Rachel McAdams, has been used to raise awareness of invaded nations, make the British royal family seem cool, and hosted a variety of wildly clad contestants. But allegations of misconduct are where the event’s organizers draw the line, which is why, they say, Dutch artist Joost Klein was kicked out of Eurovision just hours before he was slated to sing for the title.

Klein, a 26-year-old singer and rapper from Leeuwarden, Netherlands, has thrilled audiences with his pro-Europe techno song, “Europapa,” which Klein has dedicated to his late father. He was expected to compete in Saturday’s finals, alongside representatives of the 25 other countries that persisted through the last four days of competition.

But that plan was derailed Saturday morning, when event organizers announced that Klein had been removed from the Grand Finale lineup due to “an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final.”

Swedish police are investigating the incident, which “contrary to some media reports and social media speculation … did not involve any other performer or delegation member,” Eurovision said in a press release.

According to a statement from Dutch broadcaster Avrotros, which is behind its country’s Eurovision choices, “Against clearly made agreements, Joost was filmed when he had just gotten off stage and had to rush to the green room. At that moment, Joost repeatedly indicated that he did not want to be filmed. This wasn’t respected.”

“This led to a threatening movement from Joost towards the camera. Joost did not touch the camerawoman,” the broadcaster said, characterizing his removal as “very heavy and disproportionate.”

“We are very disappointed and upset for the millions of fans who were so excited for tonight,” the statement read. “What Joost brought to the Netherlands and Europe shouldn’t have ended this way.”

The BBC reports that a man was reported for making “unlawful threats” at Malmo Arena, in Malmo, Sweden, where the Eurovision competition is being held. “The police have taken all essential investigative measures and questioned the suspect, plaintiff and witnesses,” a police spokesperson said.

“The investigation has been completed by the police… and the case will now go to the prosecutor within a few weeks.”

This isn’t the first time a Eurovision competitor has been disqualified, but it is the first time the ineligibility has been announced this close to the end. Given the tight timing, another competitor will not be able to take Klein’s place, the BBC reports. However, Dutch viewers will still be allowed to vote, and the Dutch jury decision (which is made during an earlier dress rehearsal as opposed to the final performance) will still be counted.

Despite the eleventh-hour bobble, Eurovision officials seem resolute in their decision. “We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest,” they said via statement. “In light of this, Joost Klein’s behavior towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.”

And, so, the show will go on. The Grand Finale of the Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast live on Saturday, May 11 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer for viewers in those markets. In the U.S., viewers can watch the finale on Peacock beginning at 3 p.m. ET. According to Belfast Live, with Klein out of the running, bookies favor Croatian singer Baby Lasagna (real name: Marko Purišić), who is now set to perform his song, “Rim Tim Tagi Dim,” in the number 23 slot.