The results of the drug test of the singer of the victorious Italian group of Eurovision Song Contest turned negative on Monday.
A lively controversy was born on social networks after a sequence shot Saturday night during Eurovision, during which Damiano David was accused of taking cocaine.
The singer of the Italian group Måneskin, which won Eurovision 2021, did not take drugs, assured the organizer of the competition on Monday, stressing that the screening test had been negative. "No drug use has taken place (...) and we consider that the case is closed," said the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in a statement.
Italian singer Damiano David agreed to undergo a drug test after a video was released in which he is seen lowering and touching a table with his nose, in full competition on Saturday in Rotterdam, a posture assimilated by some to cocaine use. These images were seen live across the world. The EBU said the test result, which was carried out "earlier today" on Monday, turned out to be "negative".
In addition, the Geneva-based organization carried out, at the request of the Italian delegation, “a thorough examination of the facts, including checking all available video footage.” “We are alarmed that inaccurate speculation leading to 'fake news' darkened the spirit and the outcome of the event and unfairly affected the band, "the EBU also underlined.
"We would like to congratulate Måneskin once again and wish them every success. We look forward to working with our Italian member Rai to produce a spectacular Eurovision Song Contest in Italy next year," the statement added.
No complaint filed by France
Italy, which was at the top of the favorites, won the 2021 Eurovision song contest, ahead of France's Barbara Pravi and Switzerland's Gjon's Tears, thanks to the powerful performance of the rockers of the group Måneskin.
France had asked Monday for "total transparency" in the controversy, while ensuring that it will not file a complaint.
Barbara Pravi, who finished 2nd with "Voilà", the best French ranking for 30 years, was also detached from the controversy surrounding the Italians.
"What is real is that these are people who were elected and by the public and by the jury. Afterwards, if they take drugs, if they put their underpants upside down or whatnot. . It's not my problem, "she commented on France2 on Sunday evening.
The Måneskin group, made up of a girl and three boys, born with the century and bottle-fed with rock-saturated banks, professes to do something new with old. The title they presented in the Eurovision Song Contest, "Zitti e buoni", enabled them to win in 2021 the grand prize of the 71st edition of the San Remo Song Festival. This is the third victory for Italy in this competition which is usually not very popular with artists claiming the influences of the original "rock bands".