Eurovision 2024 final news: Start time, odds, finalists and what we know about Joost

The Netherlands entry for the Eurovision Track Contest, Joost Klein, was disqualified following a “threatening motion” from the singer in direction of a camerawoman, a Dutch radio and tv broadcaster mentioned.

A press release from the Netherlands’ Songfestival, which sends acts to the Eurovision Track Contest, on X added that AVROTROS, the Dutch radio and tv broadcaster, discovered the “penalty very heavy and disproportionate” and mentioned it was “very disillusioned”.

On X, previously Twitter, the assertion mentioned: “An incident occurred after final Thursday’s efficiency. In opposition to clearly made agreements, Joost was filmed when he had simply gotten off stage and needed to rush to the inexperienced room.

“At that second, Joost repeatedly indicated that he didn’t wish to be filmed. This wasn’t revered.

“This led to a threatening motion from Joost in direction of the digicam. Joost didn’t contact the camerawoman. This incident was reported, adopted by an investigation by the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) and police”.

The assertion mentioned they’d “consulted extensively with the EBU and proposed a number of options”, however that “nonetheless, the EBU has nonetheless determined to disqualify Joost Klein”.

It added that AVROTROS “finds the penalty very heavy and disproportionate”, saying they “stand for good manners – let there be no misunderstanding about that – however in our view, an exclusion order will not be proportional to this incident”.

The assertion ended saying: “We’re very disillusioned and upset for the tens of millions of followers who have been so excited for tonight. What Joost delivered to the Netherlands and Europe should not have ended this manner.”

Klein, 26, entered with the tune Europapa, which is a tribute to his late mother and father.

He was disqualified from Saturday night time’s grand remaining following a Swedish police investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The EBU mentioned police have been investigating a criticism made by a feminine member of the manufacturing crew after an incident following his efficiency in Thursday night time’s semi-final.

“Whereas the authorized course of takes its course, it will not be acceptable for him to proceed within the contest,” it mentioned in an announcement.

“We want to make it clear that, opposite to some media reviews and social media hypothesis, this incident didn’t contain every other performer or delegation member.

“We preserve a zero-tolerance coverage in direction of inappropriate behaviour at our occasion and are dedicated to offering a secure and safe working setting for all employees on the contest.

“In gentle of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour in direction of a staff member is deemed in breach of contest guidelines.”

A follow-up assertion mentioned Dutch viewers would nonetheless be allowed to vote within the grand remaining and added that the Dutch jury end result continues to be legitimate.

Various scrutiny from Dutch followers is being geared toward Keren Peles, the composer and songwriter behind Israel’s tune “Hurricane”.

One clip shared to her Instagram Tales reveals her seemingly pretending to movie her colleagues whereas zooming in on Joost within the background – this apparently earlier than the incident that bought him disqualified.

Eden Golan is representing Israel with the monitor “Hurricane”, which was reworked from unique entry “October Rain” after it was alleged to incorporate references to the 7 October assaults by Hamas, subsequently breaching the European Broadcasting Union’s (EBU) guidelines over political songs.

The Israel-born Golan, who grew up in Russia, informed ITV Information this week that she couldn’t have requested “for a greater yr to be representing my nation”.

Protests over Israel’s participation are underway in Malmö, Sweden, which is internet hosting this yr’s contest following Swedish contestant Loreen’s win with “Tattoo” in 2023.

The Eurovision Track Contest has been plunged into additional chaos after France’s delegate Slimane known as for peace, whereas a Norwegian jury spokesperson resigned as she appeared to name out the organisers for hypocrisy.

On Saturday (11 Could) through the costume rehearsals on the Malmo Enviornment in Sweden, French contestant Slimane stopped singing “Mon Amour” to name for peace amid the conflict between Hamas and Israel within the Gaza Strip.

There have been a number of calls to boycott the competitors over Israel’s participation with singer Eden Golan, who is because of carry out her tune Hurricane on Saturday night, as giant protests happen within the metropolis centre.

Slimane informed the viewers: “Everyone, I simply must say one thing. Sorry I do not communicate English very effectively however after I was a baby I dreamed about music, I dreamed about this dream, to be a singer and to sing peace right here.

“Each artist right here needs to sing about love and sing about peace. We should be united by music sure, however with love for peace. United by music sure, however with love for peace. Thanks a lot, thanks Europe.”

Palestinian flags – which had been banned by the organisers the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – have been additionally seen within the viewers.

Forward of the grand remaining, Alessandra Mele posted to Instagram to say that she’s going to not be the one that publicizes the factors awarded by Norway throughout Eurovision.

In a video the previous Eurovision contestant mentioned: “Regardless that I am grateful that I used to be given the chance to take action, I’ve taken the choice to withdraw. United by music – Eurovision’s motto is the rationale why the music unites folks, brings them collectively.

“However proper now, these phrases are simply empty phrases. There’s a genocide happening and I am asking you all to please open up your eyes, open up your coronary heart, let love lead you to the reality.

“It is proper in entrance of you. Free Palestine.”

The grand remaining will now have 25 performers somewhat than 26 after Dutch act Joost Klein was disqualified following a Swedish police investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has been approached for remark.

The UK’s delegate Olly Alexander has shared a considerably muted video from his resort room forward of the ultimate tonight. To be sincere, who can blame him – it’s sounding as if the present is being thrown into additional chaos after France’s entry Slimane known as for “peace” (will the EBU see this as a “political” assertion, I ponder?) and a Nowegian jury spokesperson resigned on the eleventh hour, presently no affirmation as to why.

“We’re right here, and final night time’s jury efficiency went very well, so, let’s do that,” Alexander says in his video. “What extra can I say other than… vote for me. And… I like you all”

And no touch upon his fellow delegate Joost being disqualified. Hmm.

Accusations {that a} genocide is being carried out in Gaza have been vehemently denied by Israel, amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas sparked by the 7 October assaults. Greater than 34,000 Palestinians, together with greater than 14,000 youngsters, have been killed by Israeli strikes since 7 October.

Right here’s the whole lot we find out about her to date:

The 2024 grand remaining is going down on Saturday (11 Could), following the primary spherical of semi-finals that noticed Eire’s contestant Bambie Thug crusing by to the ultimate together with Croatia’s Child Lasagna and Ukraine’s Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil.

Eurovision is extensively identified for its fiendishly advanced voting system, with the European Broadcasting Union making some tweaks for the 2024 competitors.