Eurovision Song Contest winners have denied snorting cocaine after fans have called ‘for drug testing’ following a short clip posted online of the band celebrating.
A clip of the group in the green room has surfaced and gone viral online.
In the video, Maneskin are sitting around their designated table, when lead singer Damiano’s head goes down to the table.
After a couple of seconds, a bandmate nudges Damiano and he looks up.
The footage was shared online and some fans have asked for a ‘drugs test’.
But after the clips going viral on Twitter, Maneskin say they do not use drugs.
One user joked: “Drug test and disqualification for Italy – all points automatically to go to last place. UK have won.”
(Image: BBC)
A second user wrote: “Make him take a blood drug test right now. Tonight, not tomorrow.”
A third simply said: “Drug test Italy!”
After the show, when questions can be asked of the winners, it was put to the band: “There was a sequence during the broadcast when you are seen in the background and seen to be snorting something, and people online are suggesting you are taking cocaine. What was it?”
(Image: BBC)
He said: “Thomas break a glass,” he explained pointing to a teammate.
He added: “I don’t use drugs, please guys. Don’t say that really.”
The host of the Q&A panel then asks for questions to focus on the artists and their music and moved swiftly on.
Fans of Maneskin have defended the star, saying that he broke a glass of a drink and claim he was ‘licking’ the liquid.
(Image: BBC)
Others say he was celebrating his band’s victory by resting his head before shouting with joy.
Eurovision has strict security and protocol, and it would seem unlikely that contestants would be able to bring drugs into the green room.
Users online have suggested that the short clip is taken out of context and people are claiming it is drug-related due to ‘jealousy’ of Italy winning the crown.
(Image: BBC)
Earlier in the evening, it was revealed how the UK received absolutely zero points from any of the juries or public votes from European countries.
UK’s act, James Newman, put on a brave face despite receiving no recognition from the other countries involved in the contest.
When it was announced we’d leave with no points, he stood up bravely and pumped his fist in the air, knowing he performed his best in the competition.
The music event was cancelled last year due to the coronavirus pandemic but the long-awaited 65th Eurovision was back on May 22, to the delight of fans across the world.
UK viewers were happy to wait the two years to hear Graham Norton’s commentary.
Opening the show, he said: “Finally we are here. It’s a really emotional night.
“If I start blubbering at any time, apologies, because I am all over the place.
“There is so much joy and celebration here that this contest is back on and we’re all here together tonight.”
And fans were happy to hear his voice again, as one tweeted: “One minute in and Graham Norton’s commentary is already worth the two-year wait.”
“Graham Norton is a national treasure!” another wrote.
Following two semi-finals, where Ireland, Poland and Australia were knocked out among other countries, the contest had a nail-biting Grand Final.
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Iceland also had to pull out from a live performance on the second semi-final due to coronavirus last minute.
The country appeared via video link in a pre-recorded backup performance instead.
Belarus was banned from 2021’s contest due to the repeated submission of “overly political” song lyrics.
The country tried to submit “anti-dissent” songs, selected by Belarusian public service broadcaster BTRC.
Dubbed I Will Teach You, Galasy ZMesta’s track included the lines “I’ll teach you to walk on a string / You will be happy about everything… I will teach you to toe the line”, which was deemed to have included “subliminal political undertones and meanings”.
