Italian Eurovision winner agrees to take drugs test over speculation of cocaine use
- Allegations of drug use grew on social media after Maneskin’s Damiano David appeared to bend over a table during the contest
- David was asked at a news conference whether he had snorted cocaine during the broadcast. He replied that he does not use drugs
Organisers of the Eurovision Song Contest say the lead singer for the Italian rock band that won has asked to take a drug test to refute speculation that he sniffed cocaine during the show.
A statement on Sunday from the European Broadcasting Union said Maneskin lead singer Damiano David “will take a voluntary drug test after arriving home.”
It said the band “strongly refuted the allegations of drug use” that bubbled up on social media after David appeared to bend over a table during the contest.
David was asked at a post-victory news conference whether he had snorted cocaine during the broadcast. He replied that he does not use drugs and indicated that he had bent over because another band member had broken a glass at their feet.
In its statement, the EBU said Maneskin band members had asked themselves that David be drug tested to refute the speculation.
The glam rock band who got their start busking on Rome’s main shopping drag were the bookmakers’ favourite going into the Eurovision finale and sealed the win early on Sunday with the highest popular vote in the enormously entertaining, and incredibly kitsch, annual song festival.