Joost Klein, a performer from the Netherlands, who was disqualified from the Eurovision Contest “is likely to face charges,” according to law enforcement officials.
The 26-year-old contestant was said to have issued “verbal threats” towards a female member of the production crew and was disqualified “just hours” before the grand finale of the show which ended in Malmö, Sweden, on May 11, 2024.
The incident was described as the first time an act had been disqualified after reaching the grand finale in the competition’s 68-year history.
Reports quote police sources indicating that the investigation into the matter “was over” and a decision about whether or not to press charges would be made “within the next couple of weeks.”
Klein’s “misconduct” was seen as a breach of the “contest rules.” A statement, announcing the disqualification of Klein after his semi-final performance, said the contest maintained a “zero-tolerance” policy towards “inappropriate behaviour.”
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Organisers said they remain committed to “providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the contest.”
The Eurovision Contest, held annually since 1956, ended last weekend with Switzerland emerging victorious with the song The Code performed by Nemo.
The show is ranked as the longest-running international music competition on television. It was inspired by and based on Italy’s national Sanremo Music Festival, held in the Italian Riviera since 1951.
As of 2024, 52 countries were said to have participated, at least once, in the competition. Participants send an original song of three minutes duration or less to be performed live by a singer or group of up to six people aged 16 or older.
Points are awarded to favourite songs, based on the views of a group of music professionals and the participating country’s viewing public. The song with the most points declared is the winner.
Eurovision ranks among the world’s most-watched non-sporting events every year, with hundreds of millions of viewers globally. Performing at the contest has often provided artists with a local career boost and in some cases long-lasting international success.
Top artistes including ABBA, Celine Dion, Julio Iglesias, Cliff Richard and Olivia Newton-John are named as some of the competitors in previous editions. The show also features guest performances by existing musicians and other personalities.
