Why were Netherlands disqualified from Eurovision? Joost Klein 'banned' from final

There will be a lot of disappointed viewers when the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 final airs on Saturday night, as one of the most popular entries in the competition won't be there, after it was announced hours earlier that the Netherlands had been disqualified.

Winners in 2019 with Duncan Laurence's the Netherlands were looking good for a strong finish on the leaderboard with Joost Klein and his track Europapa. A big hit with the crowd inside the Malmo Arena and viewers at home when he performed it in Eurovision semi final 2 on Thursday night, Europapa was well up the odds when they were updated on Friday night.

However, amid all the growing hype for Joost and his song, he then didn't perform at a final rehearsal on Friday afternoon and was also missing from the jury final hours later, with a pre-recorded performance airing on the big screen in his place.

READ MORE: Eurovision 2024 final running order as 25 countries left in Malmo competition

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And, after a lot of speculation about Joost potentially being kicked out of the contest, it was confirmed just before 11.30 UK time on Saturday that Netherlands had been disqualified.

Why were Netherlands disqualified from Eurovision?

A statement issued by the European Broadcasting Union read: "The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final. While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest."

The EBU added: "We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.

"We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules."