Geneva (AFP)

The singer of the Italian group Måneskin who won Eurovision 2021 did not take drugs contrary to what some have claimed, assured the organizer of the musical competition, ensuring that the test carried out on Monday was "negative".

"No drug use has taken place in the Salon Vert and we consider that the case is closed," said the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in a statement.

Italian singer Damiano David had agreed to undergo a drug test after the broadcast of a video in which we see him 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 singer had been questioned about this incident during the press conference of the winning group and explained that he had leaned over because guitarist Thomas Raggi had just broken a glass.

"I'm not doing drugs. Please guys. Don't say that, really. No cocaine. Please don't say that," Damiano David replied.

The EBU said the test result, which was carried out "earlier today" on Monday, was indeed "negative".

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In addition, the Geneva-based organization said it had carried out, at the request of the Italian delegation, "a thorough examination of the facts, in particular by checking all the video footage available".

She had previously indicated that there was evidence that a glass had been broken.

- "Fake news" -

"We are alarmed by the fact that inaccurate speculations leading to" fake news "have clouded the spirit and the outcome of the event and have unfairly affected the band," the EBU further 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.

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.

"Whatever the result of the test, France does not at all intend to file a complaint", had assured Delphine Ernotte, the boss of the France Televisions channel which heads the tricolor delegation, in the daily Le Parisien .

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".

© 2021 AFP