EUROVISION CROWD ERUPTS INTO BOOS AS NETHERLANDS ACT BANNED FROM PERFORMING

The Eurovision Song Contest crowd began booing after confirmation that Dutch entrant Joost Klein would not be performing at the Jury Show.

Klein, 26, was due to perform in the Evening Preview ahead of Saturday’s final with his song Europapa.

Due to his absence, his performance from Semi-Final 2 was shown on a screen instead.

However, it is understood that the rapper is not disqualified at present.

Eurovision fans await more details on his future in the singing contest, which concludes tonight as one act will lift the coveted trophy.

Klein’s axe from Friday’s show comes after The Netherlands’ entry was reportedly ‘banned’ from rehearsing for the Grand Final while organisers investigate an ‘incident.’

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) did not specify the nature of the investigation, but said the musician will not rehearse ‘until further notice.’

Following tonight’s announcement in Malmo, Sweden, where the contest is being held after Loreen’s win in Liverpool last year, fans started chanting, ‘We want Joost!’ in video footage obtained by Metro.co.uk.

Disapproving fans were also seen shaking their heads and defiantly waving flags in the air.

A statement read: ‘The investigation into the incident with the Dutch artist in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest is still ongoing.

‘Discussions are also taking place between the EBU and AVROTROS, the Dutch participating broadcaster.

‘While the investigation continues, the EBU has decided that Joost Klein will not perform during Dress Rehearsal 2 of the competition which is voted on by juries in the 37 participating countries. His performance from Semi-Final 2 will be used instead.’

Earlier on Friday, popular entrant Klein missed his slot in the penultimate dress rehearsal, where he had been due to perform in fifth place, just before Israel’s Eden Golan, 20, with her song Hurricane.

Eurovision organisers EBU said in a message: ‘We are currently investigating an incident that was reported to us involving the Dutch artist.

‘He will not be rehearsing until further notice.

‘We have no further comment at this time and will update in due course.’

Fans did see Klein take to the stage for the flag parade at the start of the rehearsal.

He walked around in his full blue costume but failed to return around 30 minutes later.

What followed was the cancellation of tonight’s press conference between Press conference with the Big 5 (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom), as well as hosts Sweden, due to acts reportedly wanting to ‘focus on rehearsals’.

Klein has cemented himself as a favourite among Eurovision fanatics this week.

He garnered reactions on social media on Thursday when, at a press conference, Klein told Israeli act Eden Golan she should answer a question on whether she is comprising the safety of other contestants by partaking.

A journalist asked the 20-year-old: ‘Have you ever thought that by being here you bring risk and danger for other participants and public?’

When the moderator told the singer that she did not have to answer the question, Klein chimed in with: ‘Why not?’

Golan said: ‘I think we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only, and the EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone, and so I think it’s safe for everyone and we wouldn’t be here (if not).’

The Israeli act also said she was ‘overwhelmed with emotions’ and that she was ‘super excited to go on stage once more, and share [her] love with everyone.’

Meanwhile, bosses denied ‘censoring’ audience protests to Israel’s participation, despite Golan receiving rapturous cheers and applause during the Semi-Final, in comparison with enormous boos from the audience present in the arena during filming, as ticket holders waved Palestinian flags above their heads.

Previously, when Klein was asked if his own song can unite people by music, he replied: ‘I think that’s a good question for the EBU.’

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2024-05-10T19:37:05Z dg43tfdfdgfd