The incident which led to the Dutch Eurovision Song Contest entry Europapa being disqualified from Saturday’s final centred on a camerawoman who filmed Joost Klein after he had finished competing in Thursday’s semi-final, Dutch broadcaster AvroTros said in a statement.

“Against clearly made agreements, Joost was filmed when he had just gotten off stage and had to rush to the greenroom,” the statement said. “At that moment, Joost repeatedly indicated that he did not want to be filmed. This wasn’t respected. 

“This led to a threatening movement from Joost towards the camera. Joost did not touch the camera woman. This incident was reported, followed by an investigation by the EBU and police.”

AvroTros said it had consulted extensively with the European Broadcasting Union and proposed several solutions. 

“Nevertheless, the EBU has still decided to disqualify Joost Klein. AvroTros considers the penalty very heavy and disproportionate,” the statement said. “We are very disappointed and upset for the millions of fans who were so excited about tonight. What Joost brought to the Netherlands and Europe shouldn’t have ended this way.”

Klein himself is extremely upset about the whole affair, AvroTros director Taco Zimmerman told current affairs show EenVandaag. “He so wanted to perform. He is wearing sackcloth and ashes.”

The broadcaster plans to make a formal protest about the EBU decision, he said.

Meanwhile, more than 200,000 people have so far signed a petition to show solidarity with Klein.

More problems

The Joost Klein is not the only issue to have hit the headlines in the run up to the contest final. 

Alessandra Mele, who should have read out the votes of the Norwegian jury, has withdrawn from the contest. “United by music is Eurovision’s motto, but right now those words are empty words,” she said. “There is a genocide going on and I would ask you all to open up your eyes.” She ended the Instagram statements by saying “Free Palestine”. 

The French participant Slimane stopped his performance during the last rehearsal to call for peace. “Every artist here wants to sing about love and sing about peace,” he said. “We need to be united by music yes but with love for peace.” 

It is against Eurovision rules to make political statements but the EBU has not yet said if Slimane would face any sanctions. 

Smartphones

According to Dutch broadcaster NOS, representatives of Ireland, Greece and Switzerland have also made a complaint about the Israeli delegation because they were using their smartphones to film them without permission. 

The three countries did not take part in Saturday afternoon’s flag parade ahead of the final rehearsal.  

Ireland’s Eurovision Song Contest entrant Bambie Thug has also reportedly called on the competition’s organisers to address the commentary made on Israeli television before their performance in Tuesday’s semi-final.