The Eurovision Song Contest has been thrown into chaos after an act was axed from the show just hours ahead of the live final with one country banned and another appearing to suggest their performance may not go ahead either.
The Netherlands’ representative for the Eurovision Song Contest missed Friday’s dress rehearsal as organisers investigated an “incident” involving the performer.
The performer has been sent home after an allegation of intimidation was made to Swedish police by a member of the production crew.
In a statement, organisers European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said “it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the contest” while the legal process takes place.
Dutch broadcaster Avrtotros called Klein’s exclusion “disproportionate”.
In a statement on social media, the company said it was “shocked by the decision” and would “come back to this later”.
Klein had been set to sing his entry during the show on Friday night May 10, but an announcement was made to the live crowd that Klein would not appear.
The announcement was met with a chorus of boos and jeers from the audience within the arena.
He was one of the favourites to win with his song Europa, and had dedicated the song to his father who he lost to cancer aged 12.
As a child, Klein had promised his father he would one day perform at Eurovision in his memory.
Fans rushed to comment on the unprecedented move on social media, with one commenting: “God this is so nuts. I’ve never seen anything like it,” while another tweeted: “The atmosphere within the arena was just absolutely insane”.
“EBU, you are a disgrace. a total and utter disgrace,” tweeted another angrily, while others echoed the sentiment, adding: “DISQUALIFIED?? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? So there was no physical altercation, just ‘words’ but he’s disqualified?!”
Just hours after Klein was axed from the show, it was revealed that Irish entrant Bambie had missed the final dess rehearsal due to “a situation” they said needed “urgent attention” from organisers.
They later posted to Instagram apologising to fans and sharing their “hope” to see them on-stage later this evening, should the issue be resolved.
There’s yet to be any official announcement regarding the “situation” or whether Ireland are still set to appear.
Meanwhile, the contest has become a hotbed of controversy this week, with Israel’s place in the competition proving hugely divisive throughout the competing nations as a major humanitarian crisis unfolds in Gaza as the war continues.
It comes after Joost Klein made his feelings about the backlash known during a press conference while sat just metres away from Israeli entrant Eden Golan.
The Netherlands singer was present during a press conference on Thursday when Golan was asked whether her involvement was “causing a security risk for other contestants”.
Swedish presenter Jovan Radomir interrupted to tell Golan she didn’t have to answer the question before Klein could be heard asking: “Why not?”
The backlash has reached boiling point over the last 48 hours, with thousands protesting outside the arena in Malmo, Sweden, with news.com.au obtaining accounts alleging that those protesting within the arena were being “forcibly removed” and “handcuffed” by EBU security mid-show before being arrested.
The EBU has been approached for comment.
It’s been felt throughout Europe, and has sparked a divide among fans on both sides.
Belgium’s national broadcaster paused its broadcast of the semi-finals on Thursday to display a message to its viewers where it condemned Israel’s alleged “human rights violations”.
It aired the message: “This is a union action. We condemn the human rights violations by the state of Israel. Moreover, the state of Israel destroys press freedom. Therefore, we are interrupting the broadcast momentarily.”
Separately, Spain’s state-owned broadcaster hit out at the EBU on Friday, calling for it to respect “press and opinion” at this year’s event after it banned Irish entry Bambie “from displaying a pro-Palestinian message during their performance”.
As the betting odds stand, Croatia, Israel, Switzerland, Ireland and Ukraine are the current favourites, with some commentators calling it the closest race in years.
It comes after Australia made a historic call on the Middle East by supporting a Palestinian bid to become a full member of the United Nations — a move that has left Israel furious.
The United Nations General Assembly decided to overwhelmingly to grant Palestinians additional rights in the global body, after their drive for full membership was blocked by the United States.
“I have stood hundreds of times before at this podium, but never for a more significant vote than the one about to take place, a historic one,” Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour said before the vote on Friday, his voice full of emotion.
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He added, “The day will come where Palestine will take its rightful place among the community of free nations.”
Omar Awadalla, the assistant minister for the UN from the Palestinian Liberation Organisation that governs the West Bank, thanked Australia for its position on Friday.
“And this is an action and actionable step by Australia toward recognising the rights of the Palestinian people to self-determination, and to their membership to the United Nations,” Mr Awadalla told the ABC.
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2024-05-11 13:41:15Z
CBMilAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L3R2L2V1cm92aXNpb24tdGhyb3duLWludG8tY2hhb3MtanVzdC1ob3Vycy1haGVhZC1vZi10b25pZ2h0cy1maW5hbC9uZXdzLXN0b3J5L2QzMDZmNjZiY2FkYjRkMjFhMjlkNjA2M2UwYzAyMDUy0gEA
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