Australian Midfielder Cristian Volpato Tests Positive for Cocaine After Sydney Traffic Stop
Australian midfielder Cristian Volpato is under police investigation after allegedly testing positive for cocaine during a roadside drug test in Sydney.
The 22‑year‑old, who played for the Socceroos at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, was stopped twice by New South Wales Police in the early hours of the same night.
First stop around 11 pm for speeding between 86 km/h and 94 km/h in a 60 km/h zone; a breathalyser returned negative.
About two hours later he was pulled over again while driving a BMW Coupe after allegedly reaching 109 km/h on the Anzac Bridge, where the limit is 60 km/h.
During the second stop officers conducted a roadside drug test that allegedly showed cocaine; a second sample was sent for lab analysis.
Volpato received a speeding fine and his international driver’s licence was suspended for six months, barring him from driving in New South Wales. Police said no criminal charges have been filed and investigations continue.
He featured three times for Australia at the World Cup – coming off the bench in the opener against Turkey, then playing versus the United States and Paraguay, and appearing in the round‑of‑32 penalty shootout loss to Egypt.
Volpato switched his international allegiance to Australia in May after representing Italy at youth level. His only senior cap for the Socceroos before the tournament was a pre‑friendly against Switzerland in June.
In a statement relayed by the Australian broadcaster ABC, the Football Federation Australia said it “was aware of the allegations involving one of our players.”
