Why Was Netherlands's Joost Klein Removed From Eurovision?

Photo: Jessica Gow/TT News agency/AFP

Eurovision’s competition is getting a little smaller. Joost Klein of the Netherlands has been disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest and will not perform at the finals on Saturday, shared Eurovision in a statement Saturday afternoon. A production crew member reportedly made an “allegation of intimidation” against the singer to local police. In response to rumors that the incident involved another contestant, hinting at his tension with Israel’s contestant at a press conference a few days ago, the contest wrote, “We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.” Klein was a favorite to win for his song “Europapa,” dedicated to his father, who died when he was 12.

Netherlands viewers are still able to vote in the competition, as they cannot vote for their own country’s song. The Eurovision finals are now going forward tonight with 25 contestants instead of 26.

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