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 production employee at the venue in Malmö, Sweden, on Thursday evening.

Eurovision organizers said: “We would like to clarify that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, no other artist or delegation member was involved in this incident.”

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe working environment for all competition staff.”

“Against this background, Joost Klein’s behavior towards a team member is considered a violation of the competition rules.”

The final will be played tonight with 25 participants, including Croatia and Switzerland, who are considered the winners of the trophy.

The British entrant is Olly Alexander with his track Dizzy, while Bambie Thug represents Ireland.

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 Gaza war.

On Thursday, 10,000 to 12,000 people, including Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, took to the city’s streets demanding Israel’s exclusion.

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.

“The world cannot remain silent in the face of genocide,” she said on X.

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At a news conference that same day, Klein covered his head while Golan spoke to reporters and shouted “Why not?” when a journalist told her she didn’t have to answer a question.

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