Joost Klein Holds Fire on Legal Action Against Eurovision: ‘No Time to Spare’ 

In the glittering, occasionally ruthless world of Eurovision, drama is never far behind. The latest chapter involves Joost Klein, the Dutch artist known for his eclectic style and the viral hit «Europapa.» Disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö earlier this year, Klein has found himself at the centre of a controversy that has captivated both fans and critics alike. However, it seems the artist is not rushing to seek legal redress—at least, not yet.

In an unexpected twist, Klein’s management has revealed that the singer currently has no plans to take legal action against the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), despite the encouragement of high-profile lawyer Gerard Spong. The 78-year-old legal titan had urged Klein to pursue a case of defamation following the disqualification, which he called «a weak response» by Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS in an open letter published in de Volkskrant. But for Klein, the time isn’t right.

«I’ve sent Gerard Spong a brief thank-you email for his interesting perspective,» Klein’s management said in a statement to RTL Boulevard. «But presently, we’re too busy to focus on this, and we need more time to make an informed decision.»

The saga began earlier this year when Klein was abruptly disqualified from Eurovision following an alleged altercation with a camerawoman during rehearsals. The EBU stood firm on their decision, maintaining that the disqualification was justified, even as Swedish authorities found insufficient evidence to proceed with any charges against Klein.

The case has stirred up considerable debate in the Netherlands, where the Eurovision Song Contest is practically a national sport. AVROTROS, the broadcaster responsible for the Dutch entry, announced that they would not be pursuing legal action against the EBU, much to Spong’s chagrin. According to the lawyer, Klein is the «perfect candidate» to file a defamation suit and clear his name.

While the legal battle remains on ice, for now, it’s clear that the disqualification has left a mark on Klein and the Dutch Eurovision community. AVROTROS has stated that they will be discussing the disqualification with the EBU in due course. As for whether the Netherlands will participate in next year’s contest, that remains to be seen.

For now, Klein seems content to focus on his music and other projects, leaving the legal wrangling for another day—if at all. In a world where Eurovision controversies can sometimes spiral into full-blown scandals, his decision to pause and reflect before taking any further steps might just be the smartest move of all.

And so, the Eurovision world waits, as it always does, for the next act in this unfolding drama. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned from decades of following Europe’s most beloved song contest, it’s that the show is never truly over until the final note has been sung.

Source: RTL