Italian Eurovision singer to take ‘voluntary drug test’: organisers

The singer for Italian Eurovision winners Maneskin will be taking a ‘voluntary drug test’, organisers say according to news agency AFP.

As the final unfolded on Saturday, footage began circulating online showing Maneskin singer Damiano David bending towards the table leading many to speculate that he was using cocaine.  However, Damiano and his bandmates have vehemently denied he uses drugs and say he was simply picking glass off the table. 

When confronted about the moment in the video at the Eurovision press conference, Damiano stated: ‘Thomas [guitarist Thomas Raggi] broke a glass … I don’t use drugs, please guys, do not say that. ‘Don’t say that really. No cocaine please, do not say that.’  The band then posted a statement on their Instagram stories and said: ‘We are really shocked about what some people are saying Damiano doing drugs. 

We really are against drugs and we never used cocaine. We are ready to get tested, cause we have nothing to hide. We are here to play music and we are so happy about our Eurovision win and we wanna thank everyone for supporting us.’ 

EBU full statement

We are aware of the speculation surrounding the video clip of the Italian winners of the Eurovision Song Contest in the Green Room last night. The band have strongly refuted the allegations of drug use and the singer in question will take a voluntary drug test after arriving home. This was requested by them last night but could not be immediately organized by the EBU. The band, their management and head of delegation have informed us that no drugs were present in the Green Room and explained that a glass was broken at their table and it was being cleared by the singer. The EBU can confirm broken glass was found after an on site check. We are still looking at footage carefully and will update with further information in due course.

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