Following long deliberation, Joost Klein, the Dutch contestant at the Eurovision Song Contest, was disqualified from the event after a violent incident between him and a photographer in the complex. The Netherlands will not have a representative even though it reached the final.
This is the first time in the history of the 68-year history of the Eurovision Song Contest that a singer has been eliminated from the competition.
In light of social media speculations that members of the Israeli team were involved in the incident, it was clarified that no other contestants were connected to the event.
"Zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior"
The official Eurovision announcement 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.
"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."