Australia international Cristian Volpato is alleged to have returned a positive roadside drug test for cocaine after being stopped by police twice in two hours in Sydney.
The 22-year-old, who played for the Socceroos at the 2026 World Cup after switching from Italy, was allegedly caught driving at 109km/h in a 60km/h zone on Sydney's Anzac Bridge shortly after 1am on Friday.
Details of the stops
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Volpato returned a positive roadside test for cocaine despite reportedly telling officers he had not taken any drugs.
Police allegedly stopped the midfielder two hours earlier after he was detected driving between 86km/h and 94km/h in the same 60km/h zone. On that occasion, he reportedly returned a negative breath test before being issued with a speeding infringement notice.
Following the second stop, police took a secondary oral fluid sample for further laboratory analysis after the alleged positive roadside drug test.
Consequences and response
Volpato's international driving licence has been suspended for six months, although he has not been charged with a criminal offence.
Football Australia confirmed it is aware of the allegations but has not taken disciplinary action. The governing body said it is supporting Volpato while monitoring the situation.
Under Football Australia's code of conduct, players can face sanctions for behaviour that brings the game into disrepute, and the organisation can impose interim suspensions, but no such action has been announced.
Coach's reaction
Volpato's former coach and mentor Tony Basha insisted the midfielder has strongly denied taking cocaine or any other illicit substance.
"He was adamant he didn't touch it," Basha told the Sydney Morning Herald. "He's a great kid. I don't think he's done it."
Basha added that drug use would be "out of character" for Volpato, who had reportedly been celebrating a friend's birthday in central Sydney before the incident.
"I'm disappointed for him because he's a young kid," he said. "He was shocked. I'm shocked because it's a big allegation."
Background
Born in Sydney, Volpato came through the academies of Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers before moving to Italy as a teenager to join Roma, where he made his Serie A debut aged 18. He later joined Sassuolo and has been linked with a move to Fiorentina.
Volpato was one of Australia's breakout performers at the 2026 World Cup after deciding to represent the Socceroos instead of Italy. He has not publicly commented on the allegations.
