No amends for Joost Klein: Dutch returns to Eurovision Song Contest, but singer refuses to join

Associated Press

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The Netherlands will join the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland. But it will be without the flamboyant Joost Klein. He was kicked out of the 2024 competition after an altercation backstage and has declined to represent the Dutch again. Broadcaster AVROTROS says it is satisfied with the new rules agreed by the event’s organiser, the European Broadcasting Union. The new rules were demanded after this year’s edition in Sweden was marred by the dramatic expulsion of favorite Klein. It was unclear whether the Dutch would return to the 69th edition of the festival. AVROTROS had called Klein’s removal “very heavy handed and disproportionate”.