MADRID, 11 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Eurovision organization has announced that it is disqualifying the Netherlands from the musical event for “inappropriate behavior” following an “incident” that occurred after the performance of Dutch artist Joost Klein in the semifinal last Thursday.
The organization points out this Saturday in a statement that the Swedish police are investigating a complaint filed by a woman from the production team after an “incident.”
The disqualification, according to Eurovision, occurs due to the “inappropriate behavior” of the singer from the Netherlands and the organization reaffirms its commitment to “providing a safe working environment for all staff.”
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are committed to providing a safe work environment for all pageant staff. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behavior towards a team member is considered contrary to the rules of the contest,” the organization has indicated.
In this sense, the organization highlights that this incident has not involved any other artist or member of the delegation. Therefore, the final of the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will have 25 participating songs.
POLICE INVESTIGATION
A police spokeswoman has assured that there is a suspect of having threatened a Eurovision employee, according to Press Association/DPA.
“The police have taken all essential investigative measures and have questioned the suspect, the complainant and witnesses. The case is following the normal legal process. The police have resorted to a faster procedure and the case will now be handed over to the prosecutor within a few weeks,” said the spokesperson.
For its part, the Swedish media SVT points out that the Dutch artist Joost Klein physically confronted a photographer who was a member of the festival after the semifinal.
Klein was one of the favorites for victory thanks to his song ‘Europapa’, an ode to a united Europe with which he sent a message to his parents, who died when he was little. At the end of the performance, Klein sent an emotional message to his father.