The Dutch Eurovision contestant was eliminated from the song contest just hours before the final due to a backstage incident

A Dutch public broadcaster reacted angrily after the Dutch Eurovision Song Contest entrant was dramatically banned from the competition just hours before Saturday’s final over a behind-the-scenes incident that is being investigated by police.

The European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest, said Swedish police were investigating “a complaint from a female member of the production team” against Joost Klein and that it was not appropriate for him to take part while the legal proceedings were ongoing.

Klein did not perform at two dress rehearsals in the Swedish city of Malmo on Friday, and organizers had said they were investigating an “incident.” Although there were rumors that the incident was related to the Israeli delegation, organizers said that the incident “did not involve any other artist or delegation member.”

It was unclear whether Klein was still in Malmö on Saturday.

Such a last-minute disqualification is unprecedented in the 68-year history of the Eurovision Song Contest, although countries have boycotted the event and in some cases been expelled – including Russia, which was kicked out after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Dutch broadcaster AVROTOS, one of dozens of public broadcasters co-financing and broadcasting the competition, said it “considers the disqualification to be disproportionate and is shocked by the decision.”

“We deeply regret this and will return to this later,” it said in a statement.

The 26-year-old Dutch singer and rapper was popular with bookmakers and fans alike with his song “Europapa,” an upbeat Euro-techno ode to the continent that is also a tribute to Klein’s late parents child was.

The competition, in which nations compete for pop music glory, has already been marked by disagreements over the inclusion of Israel. It has sparked major protests from Palestinians and their supporters who say Israel should be expelled for its war against Hamas.