Eurovision’s Damiano David denies taking cocaine during final: ‘I’m offended’
"We will get drug tested to prove it’s all speculation"
Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Instagram/ykaaar
Eurovision winner Damiano David of band Måneskin has denied taking cocaine at the song contest’s final this weekend.
Allegations emerged on social media on Saturday night as the 22-year-old and his bandmates took the crown at the grand final in Rotterdam.
Footage shows the Italian singer bending his face towards a table during a moment of celebration [below] – but the star insists he was simply inspecting some broken glass.
LET’S GO COCAINE #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/KfafSiyuCi
— Nors3 ⟠ (@Nors3) May 22, 2021
“I’m really offended”
In a subsequent interview on BBC Breakfast, David explained: “When I was cheering, I saw the glass broken and I was like, ‘My God what happened?’
“I feel really offended, I think that these kind of things are outrageous.
“We’re young guys with huge passion for the music and this is actually overshadowing our win. We will get drug tested to prove it’s all speculation.”
At a press conference in Rotterdam, he added: “I don’t use drugs. Please, guys. Don’t say that, really, no cocaine.”
In a statement, he added he was willing to “take a voluntary drug test after arriving home.”
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In a statement posted to the Eurovision website yesterday, a European Broadcasting Union rep said: “We are aware of the speculation surrounding the video clip of the Italian winners of the Eurovision Song Contest in the Green Room last night. The band have strongly refuted the allegations of drug use and the singer in question will take a voluntary drug test after arriving home.
“This was requested by them last night but could not be immediately organized by the EBU. 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.”
Maneskin won the contest with 524 points for their song ‘Zitti e buoni’. Their blistering performance say David kiss guitarist Thomas Raggisinger live on stage.
The UK’s entry James Newman scored zero points with his song ‘Embers’.
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