Italian Eurovision winner returns negative test after drug furore

Damiano David, the flamboyant singer for Italy's Eurovision-winning rockers Maneskin, tested negative for drugs, the contest organisers said May 24, following a furore over speculation he snorted cocaine at the final.

The red lederhosen-clad vocalist was tested after footage of him leaning over a table in the hospitality area of the competition in Rotterdam went viral.

Eurovision, the kitsch annual televised pop music extravaganza watched by hundreds of millions each year, is put together by the European Broadcasting Union.

The Geneva-based EBU said that following allegations of drug use backstage, it had reviewed the facts, including checking all available footage.

It said David voluntarily underwent a drugs test on Monday "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.
"We are alarmed that inaccurate speculation leading to fake news has overshadowed the spirit and the outcome of the event and unfairly affected the band."

Favourites Maneskin fought off stiff competition from France and Switzerland, surging to victory on Saturday on the back of the public vote to win with 524 points with their song "Zitti e Buoni".
"We wish to congratulate Maneskin once again and wish them huge success," the EBU said.

"We look forward to working with our Italian member Rai on producing a spectacular Eurovision Song Contest in Italy next year."

Such was the furore that even the French government weighed in, seeing grounds for disqualification if David had tested positive.
France's Europe minister Clement Beaune had called for "total transparency".
"I think there needs to be no doubt here," he told RMC radio.

"If...