Italy’s glam rock entry clinches the Eurovision crown. Later, Måneskin’s lead singer Damiano David is accused of drug taking as he’s seen leaning over a table.
The lead singer of the Italian band who won the Eurovision Song Contest has denied taking drugs, following online speculation over competition footage showing him leaning over a table.
Måneskin’s Damiano David was adamant he had not been taking cocaine. “I don’t use drugs. Please, guys. Don’t say that really, no cocaine,” he said at a press conference.
In a statement, Eurovision said the singer would “take a voluntary drug test after arriving home”.
Favourites take the prize
Måneskin, who had been favourites to win the contest, took the top prize with their song Zitti e buoni.
As the band celebrated their win in the green room, viewers started to speculate as to what the singer was doing as he bent his face towards the table.
When asked about the incident during a press conference, Damiano David said he had been looking down because guitarist Thomas Raggi had broken a glass.
Måneskin had been firm favourites. Rock music is not the usual Eurovision fare, though a few bands have won with rock numbers in the past.
They are the first group to win the competition since 2006. They also gave Italy its first victory since 1990.
Band’s reaction to drug speculation
The band were firm in their denial of drug use.
Eurovision said the singer would be tested to see if he had taken drugs.
“This was requested by them last night but could not be immediately organised by the EBU,” the statement said.
“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.”
The band later also reacted to the allegation in an Instagram story. They said they were shocked and did not condone drug use.
“We really are AGAINST drugs and we never used cocaine. We are ready to get tasted [sic], cause we have nothing to hide.”
Måneskin had been firm favourites. Rock music is not the usual Eurovision fare, though a few bands have won with rock numbers in the past.
They are the first group to win the competition since 2006. They also gave Italy its first victory since 1990.
