Malmö, Sweden — Dutch artist Joost Klein, who was disqualified from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, has seen the legal case against him dropped by Swedish authorities. The incident that led to his disqualification occurred during the second semi-final of the contest, where Klein allegedly made a threatening gesture towards a female production crew member. This act prompted both an internal investigation by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and a formal investigation by Swedish police.

According to a statement released by the EBU, the decision to disqualify Klein was made in strict adherence to the contest’s rules, which prioritize the safety and well-being of all participants and staff. The EBU emphasized that their actions were necessary to maintain a safe environment, stating, “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behavior at our events and will always take necessary action to address threats to staff—no matter who they come from”​ (Eurovision.tv).

Swedish police, however, have closed their investigation, concluding that there was no criminal act committed by Klein. Despite this, the EBU has maintained its decision to exclude him from the Grand Final, citing the importance of their own governance procedures over the legal outcomes. “The new development does not have any impact on our decision which we stand by completely,” the EBU said in a further statement​.

Klein’s disqualification has sparked significant debate among fans and media, with some criticizing the EBU’s decision as overly harsh, particularly in light of the police’s decision. Others, however, support the EBU’s stance on maintaining strict behavioral standards for participants.

As of now, Klein has not issued a public response to the latest developments, and the EBU has confirmed that no further actions will be taken regarding his participation in future Eurovision events. The controversy underscores the ongoing challenges of managing high-profile international events like Eurovision, where the actions of participants are under intense scrutiny.