The Netherlands has dramatically quit the Eurovision Song Contest and will NOT hand out points tonight in protest against the axing of their contestant Joost Klein. 

Klein was expelled from the Eurovision Song Contest just hours before he was due to perform after a complaint was made by a ‘female member of the production crew’. 

Dutch representatives had already denied claims ‘he touched her’, saying he instead made a ‘threatening movement… towards the camera’.

But now Avrotros, the Dutch radio and television broadcaster, has announced it will no longer be announcing the points of the Dutch jury at the Eurovision Song Contest.

It comes amid the most chaotic and political Eurovision so far with the Israel entry picketed by pro-Palestinian protestors.  

In a statement on X, the broadcaster wrote: ‘Now that Avrotros is no longer part of the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest, we do not feel the need to hand out the points of the Dutch jury.

‘In consultation with Nikkie de Jager, who would act as our spokesperson tonight, we decided not to do it.

‘Just like Nikkie, we imagined this evening very differently.’

Eurovision bosses said however that ‘AVROTROS’ version of events does not correspond with the statements shared with us and with police’.

Their spokesperson added: ‘We have a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our events and our priority is to secure a safe working environment for all staff working on this year’s Song Contest.’ 

Klein had been due to perform his track Europapa which was dismissed by one critic as ‘so bad’ it will ‘put you off music forever’. 

The song was nonetheless tipped as one of the favourites to win.   

Klein failed to perform at dress rehearsals on Friday after the incident on Thursday; Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has hit out at the ‘disproportionate’ actions of the EBU, which said it would be ‘inappropriate’ for the performer to compete.

More than 175,000 fans have signed a petition calling for the rapper to be reinstated in the contest – but its organiser has admitted defeat, writing online: ‘Sadly we didn’t get the EBU’s attention, but we will always show love for Joost.’

It is the latest in a series of crises to plague the contest, which uses the slogan ‘United by Music’ but is more divided than ever as thousands protest against the inclusion of Israel in the competition amid its war with Hamas in Gaza.

Klein, 26, had been a favourite amongst the bookies with his song Europapa, which he said had been inspired by his experiences of being orphaned at a young age and praises the idea of a Europe without borders. 

But the incident has dashed his chances of winning the contest after he reportedly disagreed with a camera operator over an incident backstage. 

The official page of the Netherlands’ Songfestival, which sends Dutch acts to Eurovision, said: ‘Against clearly made agreements, Joost was filmed when he had just gotten off stage and had to rush to the greenroom.

‘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 camerawoman.

‘This incident was reported, followed by an investigation by the EBU and police. Yesterday and today we consulted extensively with the EBU and proposed several solutions.

‘Nevertheless, the EBU has still decided to disqualify Joost Klein. AVROTROS finds the penalty very heavy and disproportionate.

‘We stand for good manners – let there be no misunderstanding about that – but in our view, an exclusion order is not proportional to this incident.

‘We are very disappointed and upset for the millions of fans who were so excited for tonight. What Joost brought to the Netherlands and Europe shouldn’t have ended this way.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced on Saturday that Klein would no longer be competing just hours before the final is set to take place. 

A statement from the EBU 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.

‘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.

‘The Grand Final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest will now proceed with 25 participating songs.’

References to Klein have already been pulled from pages on the Eurovision website that refer to Grand Final entrants and the running order.

But Dutch fans will still be able to vote in the contest for other countries. 

A spokeswoman for the Swedish Police Authority said: ‘A man is suspected of unlawful threats. The crime is said to have been committed at Malmo Arena on Thursday evening.

‘The man is questioned by the police but not detained. The plaintiff is an employee at Eurovision.

‘The police have taken all essential investigative measures and questioned the suspect, plaintiff and witnesses. The investigation has been completed by the police.

‘The case follows the normal legal process. The police have used faster prosecution and the case will now go to the prosecutor within a few weeks.’

Netherlands fans will still be able to vote in the contest – despite their entrant being disqualified. 

Klein had already courted controversy after clashing with Israel entrant Eden Golan, whose song Hurricane had to be rewritten and renamed after it appeared to allude to the October 7 attacks by Hamas.

On Thursday, as Golan was told she did not have to answer a question on whether she felt her presence presented a risk to other Eurovision performers, Klein snapped ‘Why not?’ and covered his head as she spoke.

Golan replied: ‘I think we’re all here for one reason, and one reason only. The EBU is taking all safety precautions to make this a safe and united place for everyone.

‘So I think it’s safe for everyone or we wouldn’t be here.’

Some music lovers in Malmo’s Eurovision fan park expressed dismay at the Dutch expulsion. Sven Sherman from Sweden said that it was a ‘pity that a song which is absolutely made for Europe is now disqualified.’

Mr Sherman added: ‘I mean, honestly, which country has done so much, many good things for Europe, like the Netherlands? So it’s really a pity and I hope next year they will be back again,’ he said.

It all makes for a messy climax to an event that draws both adoration and derision with its campy, kitschy ethos and passion for pop.

Tensions and nerves were palpable in the hours before the final, where 25 acts – narrowed from 37 entrants by two semifinal runoffs – are due to perform three-minute songs in front of a live audience of thousands and an estimated 180 million viewers around the world.

Several artists were absent from the Olympics-style artists’ entrance at the start of the final dress rehearsal, though all but Ireland’s Bambie Thug went on to perform.

The Irish performer issued a statement saying the absence was due to a situation ‘which I felt needed urgent attention from the EBU’ and telling fans: ‘I hope to see you on the stage later.’

French singer Slimane cut short his song ‘Mon Amour’ at the dress rehearsal to give a speech urging people to be ‘united by music, yes – but with love, for peace.’

And singer 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 her Instagram statement with the words: ‘Free Palestine’.

The offstage drama is overshadowing a competition whose entries range from emotional to eccentric. 

They include the goofy 1990s nostalgia of Finland’s Windows95man, who emerges from a giant onstage egg wearing very little clothing. 

Bambie Thug summons witchy spirits onstage and has brought a scream coach to Malmo, while Spain’s Nebulossa boldly reclaims a term used as a slur on women in ‘Zorra.’

The remaining favourites include Swiss singer Nemo – who would be the first nonbinary Eurovision winner if their operatic song ‘The Code’ tops the voting – and Croatia’s Baby Lasagna.

His song ‘Rim Tim Tagi Dim’ is a rollicking rock number that tackles the issue of young Croatians leaving the country in search of a better life.

Dean Vuletic, an expert on the history of the contest, said that despite the contest’s reputation for disposable bubblegum pop, Eurovision often tackles ‘political and social issues such as feminism, European integration, gender identity.’

Israeli singer Eden Golan has shot up the odds since performing her power ballad, retitled from October Rain, in Thursday’s semifinal. 

Golan faced some booing at dress rehearsals, but was voted into the final by viewers around the world and defiantly walked on stage waving an Israel flag over her head for rehearsals on Friday.

Swedish broadcaster SVT has said it will not censor sounds from the audience in the arena, according to national newspaper Aftonbladet.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised 20-year-old Golan for performing despite ‘contending with an ugly wave of antisemitism’, while she also received a call from actress Gal Gadot wishing her good luck ahead of the live final.

In remarks reported by Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, Gadot said: ‘It’s amazing that at your young age you stand strong, and no one moves you.

‘It’s unbelievable what strength you have. I know how hard it is and you should be so proud of yourself.’ 

Golan shared video of herself ‘rehearsing’ for the negative reaction backstage, singing into her phone as members of her entourage booed her and shouted ‘free Palestine’. 

Pro-Palestinian protesters argue that Israel shouldn’t be allowed to take part amid a war that has killed almost 35,000 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.

Thousands of people marched for the second time this week on Saturday through Sweden’s third-largest city, which has a large Muslim population, to demand a boycott of Israel and a cease-fire in the seven-month war.

Environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg accused Israel of using the contest to ‘artwash’ itself. She joined other protesters outside the Malmo Arena whilst wearing a keffiyeh, a scarf seen as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity.

A few Palestinian flags were waved in the auditorium during Saturday’s Eurovision dress rehearsal, in defiance of a ban on flags other than those of competing nations.

The competing musicians are feeling the pressure, inundated with messages and abuse on social media and unable to speak out because of the contest rules.

Italy’s contestant, Angelina Mango, made a statement by walking into the Eurovision media center on Friday and performing John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ as dozens of journalists gathered around her.

Swedish singer Loreen, last year’s Eurovision champion – and one of only two performers to win the contest twice – said world events were ‘traumatising’ but urged people not to shut down the ‘community of love’ that is Eurovision.

‘What heals trauma – Does trauma heal trauma? Does negativity heal negativity? It doesn’t work like that,’ she told The Associated Press. ‘The only thing that heals trauma for real – this is science – is love.’

Some have not been deterred, however. Ireland’s entry Bambie Thug – told to remove facepaint references to ‘ceasefire’ from her costume for the final – shared an update on the reported death toll in Gaza on her Instagram on Friday. 

And a performer in Australia’s Electric Fields, which did not qualify for the final, says he painted a watermelon on his chest as a sign of Palestinian support.

The fruit is used as a coded symbol of solidarity because its colours match those of the territory’s flag.