In Australia, footballer Volpato fined after positive cocaine test
In Sydney, Australia, New South Wales Police fined 22-year-old forward for Italy’s Sassuolo and the Australia national team Cristian Volpato 722 Australian dollars. A follow-up police test of his oral fluid returned a positive result for cocaine. As ABC News Australia reports, the footballer was issued a traffic infringement notice for driving a vehicle with a prohibited substance present in his oral fluid.
Stop on the Anzac Bridge
Volpato was stopped on Sydney’s Anzac Bridge on July 24. According to police, he was driving a BMW Coupe at about 1 a.m. and was travelling at 109 km/h in an area with a 60 km/h speed limit.
During the initial roadside test, the footballer tested positive for cocaine. Police then referred him for a follow-up oral fluid test, which also returned a positive result. New South Wales Police told AAP that the 22-year-old man was issued a traffic infringement notice on September 1, 2026. According to the source, no further action is anticipated in the case.
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The footballer’s and Football Australia’s position
Volpato told Football Australia officials that he did not knowingly consume the substance. After being stopped by police, he also underwent independent testing at a private clinic, where, according to his side, the result was negative. Sassuolo said that the test the player took after returning to Italy was also negative.
Football Australia said it was aware of the reports concerning the follow-up test and was seeking independent confirmation. The federation noted that it was considering the matter in accordance with its procedures and would not comment on its details in order to ensure procedural fairness.
According to AAP sources, Volpato may be summoned before Football Australia’s disciplinary and ethics committee, which has the authority to suspend the player from national team matches. Australia head coach Tony Popovic declined to answer whether he would call up the footballer for friendly matches against Brazil this month, stressing that he did not know all the details of the incident and did not want to speculate before the procedure was completed.
