Statements made in this article are alleged by the artists or other media sources and are simply compiled into one article using reputable sources. The opinions expressed by the writer are theirs alone and do not reflect that of the EBU or any broadcaster.
It has been three months since Netherlands’ 2024 participant Joost Klein was disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest for allegedly threatening behaviour towards a camerawoman. After what was deemed a controversial decision from the EBU, the case was handed over to the Swedish authorities, who on Monday 12th August 2024 confirmed they had dropped the investigation, as they were unable to confirm that Joost had intended to cause fear or harm.
To some, this might seem to be the conclusion of a long and difficult period. However, for the EBU it is just the beginning. Read on to remind yourself of the events of Eurovision 2024, the aftermath and what the EBU needs to do to salvage its reputation with fans and broadcasters.
Eurovision 2024 and the Disqualification of Joost Klein
The final of any Eurovision Song Contest is eventful and chaotic at the best of times but the events of 10th and 11th May 2024 will go down in history as being eventful and chaotic for all the wrong reasons, casting a shadow over the competition.
On Friday 10th May, mere hours before the jury final and despite having participated in the flag parade, Joost did not appear onstage to rehearse his entry ‘Europapa’, with his staging swiftly being dismantled. Fans and press alike were confused: was Joost unwell? Had he hurt himself? Was this the beginning of one of a number of protests against the participation of Israel? Such speculation lasted for hours before Swedish broadcaster SVT reported that Joost had been involved in an altercation with a camerawoman and would not be performing in the jury final, pending further investigation.
Unsurprisingly, and with no further confirmation from the EBU themselves, SVT’s report only served to fuel further speculation, with some even querying whether Joost had punched a female staff member following remarks made about his deceased parents, whom ‘Europapa’ is in tribute to. Further bad feeling was also generated as, in the days leading up to the contest, members of the Israeli delegation had allegedly been recording, photographing and harassing multiple Eurovision acts without their consent, including Joost himself, as can be seen in this video.
Furthermore, Joost performed in the second semi-final on Thursday 9th May. Within moments of his performance ending, despite having never publicly made a statement on Israel’s participation, their commentators were noted to have said “Joost Klein […] it’s such a shame that you hate Israel” along with a number of disparaging comments against other participants. Again, this can be seen in the video below:
Having qualified for Saturday’s Grand Final, Joost participated in Thursday night’s press conference where, for the first time, he vocally aired his dissatisfaction with Israel’s participation and the EBU’s conduct. When Israel’s participant Eden Golan was asked if she had considered whether her participation risked and endangered others, she was swiftly told by the host that she did not have to answer that question to which Joost responded “Why not?” Additionally, when he was asked whether his song could “unite us all by music”, he replied “I think that’s a good question for the EBU.”
All of this led people to wonder whether Joost had been singled out for further harassment and led to even more bad feeling amongst fans. If the EBU were able to take swift and incisive action against Joost, why could they not do the same for a delegation that had allegedly been harassing participants all week? By the time the jury final rolled around, fans sitting in Malmö Arena were still none the wiser, meaning when it was announced that Joost would not be performing there was a heavy chorus of boos:
These were further intensified during the flag parade, which on the night of the jury final still featured the Netherlands. While their name generated cheers from the crowd, Israel were to follow them and were booed:
On Saturday 11th May, the morning of the Grand Final, the EBU finally released a statement confirming that Joost Klein had been disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest:
The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final. While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.
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.
We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.
The Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now proceed with 25 participating songs.
EBU statement on the disqualification of Joost Klein, 11th May 2024
In response to this, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS released their own statement, clarifying their perspective on Joost’s disqualification and the reasons behind it.
Furthermore, their director general confirmed that they had offered a number of solutions to the EBU to prevent disqualification, including a public apology from Joost, talks between all involved and a joint statement between AVROTROS and the EBU. However, the camerawoman had refused any contact with either AVROTROS or Joost.
The Aftermath
On Monday 13th May, the EBU updated their statement on Joost’s disqualification, adding that “The version of events released in some public comments and on social media does not correspond with the statements shared with us and the Swedish police by staff and witnesses”, therefore seemingly contradicting AVROTROS’ version of events. They confirmed they would not be making further comments while an ongoing police investigation was underway.
However, this did not stop Edward af Sillén, scriptwriter for Eurovision 2024, from making what many perceived to be an indirect comment on Joost’s disqualification. In July, Turkish footballer Merih Demiral was banned from participating in the quarter final of the 2024 Euros after he made the “wolf salute” in a match against Austria, a gesture that is associated with Turkish nationalism and is banned in Austria. In response to this news, Edward af Sillén queried “What does this remind me of?” He was seen to double down on this comparison when, in response to an observation that this was not an accurate comparison, he said it was “quite accurate”.
Joost Klein also made comments alluding to the events of May, including at Sziget Festival in Budapest in August. During live performances, Joost had previously been observed to say “Fuck the EBU” and “Fuck Eurovision” However, in a video posted by Slovenian eurofan Tea Titan, Joost also went into depth about how the situation had impacted his mental state, saying “We spent ten fucking months of our life working on a mission. We were working so hard. […] It’s okay not to be okay. I’m not fucking okay right now.”
Investigation Dropped
On Monday 12th August 2024, Fredrik Jönsson, the senior investigator in Joost Klein’s case, announced he was dropping the case. In a conversation with Dutch media personality GJ Kooijman, Jönsson confirmed that while Joost did “hit the plaintiff’s film camera […] I can’t prove that he did that in intention to cause serious fear.” It was also confirmed that footage was reviewed of the incident but that this was short and was cut abruptly during the incident. Jönsson said several people interviewed had alluded that there was an agreement that Joost not be filmed as he left the stage due to the emotional ending of ‘Europapa’. However, these claims were not part of the investigation and were therefore not verified by anyone, including the EBU. The length of the investigation was attributed to interviews conducted by the Dutch police having to be translated into Swedish by Swedish authorities. Finally, Jönsson said he could not comment on whether the EBU had sufficient information on either the 10th or 11th May to make an informed decision on Joost’s participation in the Eurovision song contest.
Shortly after Jönsson’s initial statement was released, AVROTROS released their own statement confirming they had felt the disqualification was “unnecessary and disproportionate” and that they were “deeply disappointed” that Joost’s Eurovision journey had been “brutally ended in this way.” AVROTROS confirmed they would be speaking to the EBU about this and that “we will also discuss all our other objections about the way things are going behind the scenes at the song festival, which we previously sent to the EBU in an extensive letter of objection and which have remained unanswered to date. […] The EBU now has the floor.”
In a quote attributed to the largest news agency in the Netherlands, Algemeen Nederlands Persbureau (ANP), Joost is alleged to have said he is “incredibly happy and relieved” to hear that the investigation has been dropped. Later, he also released the following statement on his Instagram account:
The last couple of months were terrible. Even though I love to perform everywhere around the world, something didn’t feel right. Why did we have to wait so long for an answer? Everyday I felt insecure whilst I knew the truth. There is no case against me, because there never was a case.
We should all take care of each other, we should all support each other and we should ALL come together. Companies just want to protect their money and they tried to use me as a shield. A village against the city…
Guess what? LOVE ALWAYS WINS. TRUST THE PROCESS!!!!! EVEN THOUGH I LOST ALL HOPE WE BACK NOW BABY!!! ALBUM MODE!!!!!!!!
Joost Klein, Instagram
Later that afternoon, the EBU Deputy Director General and Director of Media Jean Philip de Tender, released the following statement:
The EBU aims to ensure the Eurovision Song Contest is a show for everyone and is a safe place for staff, artists, guests and fans.
Like all responsible employers, we do not tolerate inappropriate behaviour and will always respond to any workplace issues that are reported to us.
The decision to disqualify Mr Klein from this year’s event was made in strict accordance with Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) rules and governance procedures, after an internal investigation.
In parallel, Swedish police decided to open a formal investigation into the conduct of Mr Klein during the dress rehearsal, which we understand was closed today without further action.
This was an investigation into whether a criminal act was committed and not whether Mr Klein behaved inappropriately and breached ESC rules and procedures. This new development therefore does not have any impact on our decision which we stand by completely.
Jean Philip de Tender, EBU Deputy Director General and Director of Media
So What Now?
Now that the case has been closed, discussions have been renewed on whether it was fair to disqualify him and therefore whether it was unfair to allow Israel to participate when there was ample evidence of their harassment of artists, other delegations and members of the press. Furthermore, the lack of an immediate statement from the EBU allowed speculation to run rife, with allegations made that could have seriously harmed the career and reputation of Joost Klein. One might argue that given the clear impact this has had on his mental health, as well as being the subject of a police investigation, the damage has already been done.
This is of course not to mention AVROTROS, who have vocally stood behind Joost throughout the investigation and condemned the EBU’s decision. If the EBU do not take swift and incisive action now, as they were happy to do in May, they risk losing the participation of the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest.
While it is perhaps unsurprising that the EBU have seemingly doubled down on their decision, it is nonetheless disappointing and will undoubtedly leave many wondering if any further changes will be made to consider the welfare of artists participating in Eurovision or if the concerns of broadcasters will be listened to. Only time will tell but one thing is for certain: Jönsson’s statement today will cast fresh eyes on the reputation of the EBU, which is already on thin ice. If the EBU wish to salvage their dwindling reputation, they need to listen to the concerns of those who make the Eurovision Song Contest what it is, and they need to act fast.
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