Following the closure of the police investigation, Joost Klein criticizes Eurovision’s disqualification, asserting his innocence and questioning EBU’s motives.
Following the closure of the investigation by the Swedish police, Joost Klein, the Dutch representative for Eurovision 2024, and the Dutch TV network AVROTROS have responded publicly. The investigation, which lasted three months, was closed due to insufficient evidence to prosecute Klein, who had been accused of physically assaulting a Swedish photographer at the Eurovision venue. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) had disqualified Klein from the competition final just hours before it was set to begin, a decision that has since been criticized given the outcome of the investigation.
Joost Klein’s Response
Joost Klein expressed his relief and frustration on Instagram, stating: “The last couple of months were terrible… Â There is no case against me, because there never was a case.” He criticized the EBU for prioritizing financial interests over individuals, saying, “Companies just want to protect their money and they tried to use me as a shield…. Love always wins!”
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AVROTROS’s Statement and Future Outlook
“From the beginning, we have said that this disqualification was unnecessary and disproportionate and so it now appears to be. We are still deeply disappointed that the Europa adventure of Joost Klein and of the entire Netherlands was brutally ended in this way.” They expressed disappointment over the abrupt end to the Netherlands’ participation and announced plans to meet with the EBU to discuss the disqualification and other objections about the course of events behind the scenes at the Song Contest that they previously sent to the EBU, which to date has remained unanswered.
Despite the investigation’s closure, the broadcaster indicated that the chances of participating in Eurovision 2025 remain slim, although they are keeping communication channels open with the EBU.
The EBU, in response to the investigation’s closure, maintained that their decision to disqualify Klein was based on competition rules and governance procedures, separate from the criminal investigation’s findings.
Netherlands at Eurovision 2024
This marks the second consecutive time that the Netherlands has not competed in the grand final and the first time in the contest’s history that a participant was disqualified just hours before the grand final.
Source: AVROTROS
Eurovision 2024: This was the 64th participation of the Netherlands in Eurovision. The Netherlands joined the competition in 1956, was one of the seven founding countries, and has won it five times over the years. The Netherlands’ most recent victory was at Eurovision 2019 with the song “Arcade” performed by singer Duncan Laurence.
