Cocaine test vs speeding scandal: Volpato's double trouble

Cristian Volpato, the 22‑year‑old Sassuolo midfielder and Australische international, tested positive for cocaine after being arrested twice for speeding on Sydney’s Anzac Bridge, with the second arrest occurring just two hours after the first. Police (Volgens de politie) recorded speeds of 86‑94 km/h then 109 km/h, far above the 60 km/h limit.

According to the police of New South Wales, Volpato was stopped at around 23:05 on the Anzac Bridge in Sydney after travelling between 86 and 94 kilometres per hour in a zone where only 60 km/h is permitted. An alcohol test at that time returned a negative result.

Roughly two hours later the midfielder’s car was again intercepted on the same bridge, this time clocked at 109 kilometres per hour, well over the speed limit. A subsequent saliva sample indicated a positive result for cocaine.

Volpato received a fine for the speeding offences and his international driver’s licence was suspended for six months in South Wales. Police also collected a second saliva specimen for further laboratory analysis, extending the investigation.

He featured in three of Australia’s four World Cup (WK) group‑stage matches, with the team bowing out in the round of 16 after a penalty shoot‑out loss to Egypt. The midfielder had previously represented Italian youth sides before committing to the Australische senior squad ahead of the tournament.

The Australian football federation states that players testing positive for prohibited substances without a valid medical exemption may face bans of up to four years, though sanctions can be reduced to three months if the use was not performance‑enhancing.

As the second saliva analysis remains pending, the case continues to be examined by authorities, leaving Volpato’s sporting future uncertain.