EBU: Joost Klein violated the contest rulles and was disqualified
As expected, the EBU immediately after the announcement of the Swedish public prosecutor’s office, which due to doubts and lack of evidence closed the case file for any criminal offenses of Joost Klein regarding the incident that occurred during the previous contest, issued explanatory notice on the official website of the competition. The EBU says that the expulsion of Joost Klein from Eurovision 2024, was done because he violated the regulations of the contest and was independent of the judicial outcome of the case.
Joost Klein “innocent” beyond doubt
According to what the Swedish public prosecutor’s office announced earlier, the case file was closed for lack of evidence. This means that Joost Klein will not be prosecuted further.
The Swedish public prosecutor writes that the investigation into a 26-year-old man who allegedly threatened a woman has been closed. The investigation shows that Klein made a motion that hit the camera. According to the prosecutor, the incident happened quickly and the stories of Klein and the camerawoman are conflicting. It is therefore not possible to know exactly what happened and whether there was criminally unacceptable behavior under Swedish law.
Today the investigation is closed because it cannot be proven that this act caused real fear and that this was the man’s intention.
Fredrik Jönsson, prosecutor
The EBU stands by its decision to expel Joost Klein
The EBU expelled Joost Klein from the final of Eurovision 2024 as you remember, immediately after the complaint of a worker in the production of the contest. Wanting to clarify its position, the EBU immediately after today’s acquittal of Joost Klein from the criminal prosecution states:
The EBU aims to ensure the Eurovision Song Contest is a show for everyone and is a safe place for staff, artists, guests and fans.
Like all responsible employers, we do not tolerate inappropriate behaviour and will always respond to any workplace issues that are reported to us.
The decision to disqualify Mr Klein from this year’s event was made in strict accordance with Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) rules and governance procedures, after an internal investigation.
In parallel, Swedish police decided to open a formal investigation into the conduct of Mr Klein during the Second Semi Final, which we understand was closed today without further action.
This was an investigation into whether a criminal act was committed and not whether Mr Klein behaved inappropriately and breached ESC rules and procedures. This new development therefore does not have any impact on our decision which we stand by completely.
Jean Philip De Tender, Αναπληρωτής Γενικός Διευθυντής και Διευθυντής Μέσων Ενημέρωσης της EBU
Essentially, based on the above announcement, the criminal responsibilities of Joost Klein, which do not exist according to the Swedish prosecutor’s office, are separated from the violation of the competition regulations that were violated in the incident in question, a conclusion reached by the EBU after an internal investigation which he did.
We now await with interest the reaction of the Dutch public television AVROTROS and the decision it will take on its participation or not in Eurovision 2025 next May in Switzerland.
Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!
Source: Eurovision.tv
