This is the shocking moment a Eurovision chief was booed as he delivered the Netherlands jury vote after a Dutch TV announcer pulled out.
Before the Eurovision Song Contest, the Netherlands dramatically quit the show and refused to hand out points in protest against the axing of their contestant Joost Klein.
Klein was expelled from the competition just hours before he was due to perform after a complaint was made by a ‘female member of the production crew’.
Footage on the night has now emerged showing Eurovision Executive Supervisor Martin Osterdahl, announcing the Netherlands 12 points.
However, the usually loved figure was met with a chorus of boos from the crowds when his face appeared on screen.
This is the moment a Eurovision chief was booed as he delivered the Netherlands jury vote
Joost Klein was disqualified following an alleged incident involving a camera operator backstage
Klein had been a favourite to win the contest with his song ‘Europapa’ (seen performing it here in dress rehearsals earlier this week)
Footage on the night has now emerged showing Eurovision chief Martin Österdahl announcing the Netherlands 12 points
Eurovision chief Martin Österdahl was booed as he delivered the Netherlands jury vote after a Dutch TV announcer pulled out
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.
The statement from Avrotros posted on social media announcing they would not be handing out points in protest
The singer clashed with Israel’s Eden Golan (right) during a press conference on Thursday after she was asked a question about the safety of other performers
Klein failed to perform at dress rehearsals on Friday after a separate alleged 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.
