Damiano David, the flamboyant singer of Italy's Eurovision-winning rockers Maneskin, has tested negative for drugs, contest organisers said on Monday.
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 annual televised pop music extravaganza watched by millions each year, is put together by the European Broadcasting Union.
The union, in Geneva, said that after claims of drug use backstage, it reviewed the facts, including checking all available footage.
It said David voluntarily had a drug 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," the organiser said.
"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."
Maneskin, the favourites, fought off heavy competition from France and Switzerland, surging to victory on Saturday with the public vote to win on 524 points with their song Zitti E Buoni.
"We wish to congratulate Maneskin once again and wish them huge success," the union 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 tested positive.
France's European affairs minister Clement Beaune had called for "total transparency".
"I think there needs to be no doubt here," Beaune told RMC radio.
"If there is a problem, there are penalties. Provisions are made for sanctioning measures, including potential disqualification in case of problems."
French hopes had been riding high on singer Barbara Pravi, who was a favourite to end France's 44-year Eurovision drought with her moody ballad Voila.
But Pravi was edged out at the last minute by a surge in public votes for Maneskin.
"I don't want to be a sore loser," Beaune said. "In terms of image, we can't let people think that such competitions can result in such behaviour."
But the president of France's public broadcasting group said on Monday that the country would not contest its second-place finish, regardless of the speculation.
David was asked about the footage early on Sunday, and said he was looking down because guitarist Thomas Raggi had broken a glass.
"I don't use drugs. Please, guys. Don't say that really, no cocaine. Please, don't say that," he said.
The four-piece band, which also features bass player Victoria De Angelis, guitarist Raggi and drummer Ethan Torchio, told fans on Twitter: "We still can't believe what's going on. These last few days have been incredible and this is just the beginning.
"Our new album Teatro D'Ira has just gone platinum, and so has Le Parole Lontane. This is all thanks to you.
"We can't wait to go on tour all around the world and share our music with all of you."
Italy is one of Eurovision's "Big Five", along with Britain, France, Germany and Spain, who automatically qualify for the finals each year.
Meanwhile Britain's crushing "nul points" was down to the poor selection process, not bad blood over Brexit, a senior minister insisted on Monday.
James Newman scored no points from the jury or public vote for his song Embers.
It was only the second time the country has failed to win any points at all. The last time it happened was in 2003 after an off-key performance by the group Jemini.
But Saturday's poor showing was the second year in a row that Britain came in last place.
"There is a fundamental problem with the way that we are choosing our performances and singers," international trade minister Liz Truss told LBC radio.
But Truss dismissed a suggestion that voters passed over the UK entry because of the divisive departure from the EU.
"I don't think it's a post-Brexit snub," she said. "I think that we need to have more competition to get the right entrant."
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Read more:
James Newman to represent the UK in Eurovision
Eurovision Song Contest: 10 memorable star-making acts across the years, from Abba to Celine Dion
Eurovision 2021: Belarus banned from contest due to song's 'political' lyrics
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League final:
Who: Real Madrid v Liverpool
Where: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kiev, Ukraine
When: Saturday, May 26, 10.45pm (UAE)
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
How to register as a donor
1) Organ donors can register on the Hayat app, run by the Ministry of Health and Prevention
2) There are about 11,000 patients in the country in need of organ transplants
3) People must be over 21. Emiratis and residents can register.
4) The campaign uses the hashtag #donate_hope
FFP EXPLAINED
What is Financial Fair Play?
Introduced in 2011 by Uefa, European football’s governing body, it demands that clubs live within their means. Chiefly, spend within their income and not make substantial losses.
What the rules dictate?
The second phase of its implementation limits losses to €30 million (Dh136m) over three seasons. Extra expenditure is permitted for investment in sustainable areas (youth academies, stadium development, etc). Money provided by owners is not viewed as income. Revenue from “related parties” to those owners is assessed by Uefa's “financial control body” to be sure it is a fair value, or in line with market prices.
What are the penalties?
There are a number of punishments, including fines, a loss of prize money or having to reduce squad size for European competition – as happened to PSG in 2014. There is even the threat of a competition ban, which could in theory lead to PSG’s suspension from the Uefa Champions League.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The lowdown
Bohemian Rhapsody
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Gwilym Lee
Rating: 3/5
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Levante v Real Mallorca (12am)
Leganes v Barcelona (4pm)
Real Betis v Valencia (7pm)
Granada v Atletico Madrid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (12am)
Espanyol v Getafe (3pm)
Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao (5pm)
Eibar v Alaves (7pm)
Villarreal v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Valladolid v Sevilla (12am)
RESULT
Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
Huddersfield: Otamendi (45' 1 og), van La Parra (red card 90' 6)
Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')
Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)
RACE RESULTS
1. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1hr 21min 48.527sec
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) at 0.658sec
3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 6.012
4. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 7.430
5. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN/Ferrari) 20.370
6. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas) 1:13.160
7. Sergio Pérez (MEX/Force India) 1 lap
8. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India) 1 lap
9. Felipe Massa (BRA/Williams) 1 lap
10. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams) 1 lap
11. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) 1 lap
12. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren) 1 lap
13. Nico Hülkenberg (GER/Renault) 1 lap
14. Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber) 1 lap
15. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/Sauber) 2 laps
16. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro Rosso) 3 laps
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
