Eurovision fires Dutch contestant Joost Klein after controversy over ‘incident’ | World News

Eurovision has kicked out the Dutch contestant after a controversy over an “incident” involving him.

Joost Klein allegedly made verbal threats to a Eurovision Song Contest production worker at the venue in Malmö, Sweden, on Thursday evening.

Eurovision Organizers dismissed widespread rumors that the incident was related to the Israeli delegation, saying Klein’s “behavior” toward the employee was a “violation of the competition rules.”

“Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production team following an incident following his performance in the semi-finals on Thursday evening,” the organizers said in a statement. “While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue to compete.”

It is the first time in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest that an artist has been disqualified after reaching the grand final.

Dutch broadcaster Avrotros said Klein’s disqualification was “disproportionate”, while the Dutch delegation said it was “shocked” by the decision.

Swedish police said in a statement: “A man is suspected of making unlawful threats at the Malmö Arena on Thursday evening.”

“The man was questioned by police but was not arrested. The complainant is an employee of Eurovision. The police have interviewed the suspect, the complainant and witnesses.”

Klein, 26, did not appear at two dress rehearsals on Friday because the EBU said it was investigating an “incident.”

Around 180 million people around the world are expected to watch the now 25 contestants compete in the final tonight. Croatia and Switzerland are among the winners of the trophy, ahead of British entrant Olly Alexander with his track Dizzy and Irishman Bambie Thug.

Klein was scheduled to perform his track “Europapa,” a happy-hardcore-inspired song that was dismissed by one critic as “so bad” that it would “put off music forever,” but was still one of the favorites to win was.

Protests have intensified competition over Israel’s involvement in the war Gaza.

Further pro-Palestinian protests are planned in Malmö on Saturday evening, coinciding with the grand finale War between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

There have been demonstrations and calls to boycott the show in recent months after the EBU refused to exclude Israel from the competition on the grounds that the country had not broken any broadcasting rules.

On Thursday there were 10,000 to 12,000 people, including a Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, went onto the street of the city demanded the exclusion of Israel.

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Ms Thunberg, 21, claimed Israel was trying to “artwash” the Eurovision Song Contest, referring to the use of artistic performances to distract from perceived negative actions by people, groups, governments or countries.

At a press conference on the same day, Klein covered his head Israel’s Eden Golan spoke to reporters and shouted “Why not?” when the anchor told her she didn’t have to answer a journalist’s question.