EUROVISION bosses are reportedly holding crisis talks in Malmo this afternoon hours before the final after banning one country from taking part.
It comes after controversial Dutch Eurovision act Joost Klein was thrown out of the competition today.
A message from Eurovision News on X, formerly Twitter, said: “EBU hold another crisis meeting, that was reported by SVT & NRK.
“The reason still remains unclear.”
Joost Klein, 26, has been told he won’t be performing tonight and is being investigated by police.
The Netherlands pop star has not been arrested but was quizzed by officers at the arena for more than 30 minutes last night.
The rapper has now been told he will not be performing along with Eurovision acts from 25 other countries.
A statement from Eurovision shared on Saturday said: “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 statement added: “In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.
“The Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now proceed with 25 participating songs.”
A Malmo Police spokeswoman did not name Joost but confirmed an investigation into a man’s alleged violent threats at the Malmo Arena has been passed to the Public Prosecutions Office.
In a further blow to tonight’s competeition, Ireland act Bambie Thug has revealed they missed their Eurovision final dress rehearsal today after a ‘situation’ while waiting to go on stage.
They took to social media to update fans who had gathered to see them at the Malmo arena.
Eurovision Song Contest entries 2024
Here are all of the acts taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Finalists:
- United Kingdom: Olly Alexander – Dizzy
- Sweden: Marcus & Martinus – Unforgettable (2023 winning country)
- France: Slimane – Mon amour
- Germany: ISAAK – Always On The Run
- Italy: Angelina Mango – La Noia
- Spain: Nebulossa – ZORRA
- Serbia: TEYA DORA – RAMONDA
- Portugal: iolanda – Grito
- Slovenia: Raiven – Veronika
- Lithuania: Silvester Belt – Luktelk
- Ireland: Bambie Thug – Doomsday Blue
- Ukraine: alyona alyona & Jerry Heil – Teresa & Maria
- Luxembourg: TALI – Fighter
- Finland: Windows95man – No Rules!
- Croatia: Baby Lasagna – Rim Tim Tagi Dim
- Cyprus: Silia Kapsis – Liar
- Armenia: LADANIVA – Jako
- Austria: Kaleen – We Will Rave
- Estonia: 5MIINUST x Puuluup – (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi
- Georgia: Nutsa Buzaladze – Firefighter
- Greece: Marina Satti – ZARI
- Israel: Eden Golan – Hurricane
- Latvia: Dons – Hollow
- Norway: Gåte – Ulveham
- Netherlands: Joost Klein – Europapa
- Switzerland: Nemo – The Code
Out:
- Poland: LUNA – The Tower
- Iceland: Hera Björk – Scared of Heights
- Moldova: Natalia Barbu – In The Middle
- Azerbaijan: FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov – Özünlə Apar
- Australia: Electric Fields – One Milkali (One Blood)
- Malta: Sarah Bonnici – Loop
- Albania : BESA – TITAN
- Czechia: Aiko – Pedestal
- Denmark: SABA – SAND
- San Marino: MEGARA – 11:11
- Belgium: Mustii – Before The Party’s Over
Bambie wrote on Instagram: “There was a situation while we were waiting to go to stage for the flag parade rehearsal which I felt needed urgent attention from the EBU.
“The EBU have taken this matter seriously and we have been in a discussion about what action needs to be taken.
“This means I have missed my dress rehearsal.
“I am really sorry to the fans that have come to see me. I hope to see you on the stage tonight.”
Elsewhere, during the dress rehearsals today, French contestant Slimane stopped singing Mon Amour to call for peace amid the war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip.
Slimane told the audience: “Everybody, I just need to say something. Sorry I don’t speak English very well but when I was a child I dreamed about music, I dreamed about this dream, to be a singer and to sing peace here.
“Every artist here wants to sing about love and sing about peace.
“We need to be united by music yes, but with love for peace. United by music yes, but with love for peace. Thank you so much, thank you Europe.”
Olly Alexander will be representing Great Britain at the annual contest.
The singer hinted he could win after a surprise u-turn during last night’s rehearsals.
