The Dutch broadcaster, AVROTROS has confirmed to local Dutch media outlet NU.nl that they made a formal complaint to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about the ‘unsafe environment’ at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 before Joost Klein was disqualified from the Grand Final.
AVROTROS raised concerns to the EBU before disqualification
This evening, Dutch news outlet NU.nl reports that AVROTROS officially reported their concerns and experiences to the EBU on Friday May 10. A day before the Dutch participant Joost Klein and his song, ‘Europapa’ were disqualified from the Grand Final on Saturday May 11.
When pressed, AVROTROS declined to pass further comment on the details surrounding the complaint made to the EBU. Instead, AVROTROS said they, “recognised the picture painted”. Perhaps alluding to the allegations made by various other delegations and artists, including Silvester Belt about the tense atmosphere behind the scenes at the Malmö hosted contest.
Furthermore, AD claims that AVROTROS filed two reports. The first was verbal communication on Thursday May 9. A follow up report was written on May 10 after the situation failed to improve. Both reports were separate to the incident that resulted in disqualification.
Meanwhile, AVROTROS went onto noting their displeasure at the EBU’s decision to use anti-booing technology during the broadcasts this year. The EBU used the technology for the performances of the Israeli artist throughout the live shows.
We believe that when a musician performs, you should always show what it does to the audience.
AVROTROS
This report comes on the back of multiple exchanges between the EBU and AVROTROS over the disqualification of Joost Klein on the day of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 Grand Final. In a statement overnight, the EBU confirmed this is now a matter for the Swedish police and prosecution service.
