The Eurovision Broadcasting Union issued a statement and concluded no drug use took place in the Green Room and we consider the matter closed. The European Broadcasting Union as requested by the Italian delegation, has conducted a thorough review of the facts, including checking all available footage, the EBU said. A drug test was also voluntarily undertaken earlier today by the lead singer of the band Måneskin which has returned a negative result seen by the EBU.
EBU also stated 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.
Eurovision chiefs issue update on Italy winners Maneskin after drugs claims David Bentley
The Eurovision Broadcasting Union, which organises the annual contest, says it is examining video footage that showed Damiano David lowering his head over a table in the green room.
The singer has volunteered to take a drugs test when he gets home.
Viewers questioned what they were seeing when Damiano was seen on camera bending over a table, with some suspecting he had been caught snorting cocaine.
One asked on Twitter: Did someone just do a line live on Eurovision telly?
But the singer insisted he was looking down after another band member broke a glass on the floor.
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After a year away due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Eurovision Song Contest returns on Saturday (22 May) with 26 artists representing their countries in the grand final.
And now, for the first time, US audiences will be able to watch the contest, with Peacock getting the rights to both the 2021 and 2022 competitions. This includes the first semifinals on 18 May, the second semifinals on 20 May and the finals on 22 May.
As reported by
Vulture, the streaming platform announced today (18 May) that all three nights of this year’s contest will be live and on-demand for later viewing.