The lead singer of eventual Eurovision winners, Maneskin has been acquitted of allegations of taking drugs live on tv. An inquiry into the matter has found lead singer, Damiano David to be innocent of the claims, following scenes at the final. The European Broadcasting Union released a statement declaring the frontman of the Italian rock group innocent following a negative result.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) investigated the incident on Saturday after a clip from the live broadcast went viral. It had shown the lead singer lowering and then lifting his head from a table, as the band cheered their road to victory.
Following their success with song, Zitti E Buoni, the band had “strongly refuted the allegations of drug use” at the ceremony. The rumours began to emerge on social media after the singer appeared to conceal something at his face while on camera in the green room.
“Following allegations of drug use in the green room of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday 22 May, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), as requested by the Italian delegation, has conducted a thorough review of the facts, including checking all available footage.
“A drug test was also voluntarily undertaken earlier today by the lead singer of the band Maneskin, which has returned a negative result seen by the EBU. No drug use took place in the green room and we consider the matter closed.”
The EBU said it was “alarmed that inaccurate speculation leading to fake news has overshadowed the spirit and the outcome of the event and unfairly affected the band”. Following the band’s win, David denied the allegations which were put forward during a press conference and explained the situation.
The Italian singer had bent over at his table because another member of the band had broken a glass at their feet. Following the explanation, David’s bandmates demanded a drug test to be taken to refute the speculation, which the EBU subsequently confirmed to be negative.
Italy won this year’s elite singing competition in Rotterdam with the UK receiving “nil poi” for James Newman’s song, Embers.
