Joost Klein was dismissed. - The timeline of the ESC controversy
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU), who is in charge of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), terminated Dutch artist Joost Klein's (26) participation on Saturday. The police are investigating an incident that happened on Thursday night.
The ESC Scandal Timeline
Thursday evening, 11:30 pm: The press conference with the top ten winners of the second semi-final takes place at the Malmö Arena. Joost Klein generates negative attention here. He frequently interjects without being asked and frequently interrupts when the Israeli ESC participant, Eden Golan (20), is speaking.
The most displeasing moment occurs when Golan responds to an audience member's question, and Klein publicly raises the Dutch flag over his head.
However, more than just this must have taken place that evening - there are reports of an altercation between Klein and a female member of the production team. It is unclear exactly what happened. However, the employee reports the incident to the police shortly after. It's not clear if the incident occurred during the 20 minutes between the second semi-final and the press conference or after the press conference.
Nonetheless, the police have begun an investigation, and the consequences will become evident on Friday.
On Friday at approximately 1:30 pm, the first of two rehearsals for the grand final starts in the Malmö Arena. Joost Klein appears in the hall and attends the Dutch flag parade at 1:35 pm.
But then, at around 1:52 pm, the mystery: when Klein (originally scheduled to be in fifth position) is supposed to sing his song "Europapa", the Israeli Eden Golan appears on stage instead. She was supposed to perform later. Klein's performance is canceled.
Around 3:08 pm - during the first rehearsal - the EBU announces that "investigations into a case concerning the Dutch artist" are the reason for his absence. Shortly after, the EBU excludes Klein from the second rehearsal on Friday evening (the significant jury evaluation rehearsal). Klein's whereabouts are unknown - whether he's in the hotel or on his way home.
Saturday, 12:21 pm: The EBU disqualifies Joost Klein in a press release.
"We have a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our event and are dedicated to providing a safe work environment for all competition staff. We consider Klein's behavior towards a team member as a violation of the competition rules."
Saturday, 2:25 pm: It's announced that Dutch television - the Dutch broadcasting company AVROTROS - doesn't accept the disqualification and plans to demonstrate to the EBU.
6:30 pm: AVROTROS publishes a statement on Instagram about the disqualification.
It clarifies, "An incident occurred after the last Thursday's performance. Despite clear arrangements, Joost was filmed right after he finished his performance and had to rush to the green room. At that moment, Joost kept asserting he didn't want to be filmed. This was not respected. It resulted in a hesitant movement by Joost towards the camera. Joost did not touch the camerawoman. This incident was reported to the police, prompting the EBU and the police to launch an investigation. Yesterday and today, we have extensively discussed the matter with the EBU and proposed several solutions. However, the EBU has chosen to expel Joost Klein."
AVROTROS considers the punishment excessive. "We promote proper conduct - to avoid confusion - but in our opinion, disqualification is not commensurate with this incident." They are extremely disillusioned and enraged. Millions of fans were eagerly waiting for tonight. "What Joost has brought to the Netherlands and Europe should not have ended this way."
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Source: symclub.org
