Cristian Volpato allegedly tests positive for cocaine, charged with speeding
Quick Look
Australian World Cup representative Cristian Volpato, 22, allegedly tested positive for cocaine during a roadside drug test after being stopped for speeding 50km/h over the limit on Sydney's Anzac Bridge early Friday morning, according to New South Wales police.
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Why It Matters
Cristian Volpato, 22, represented Australia at the World Cup after switching allegiances from Italy, and plays for Sassuolo in Serie A.
Cristian Volpato, who represented Australia at the World Cup, has allegedly tested positive for cocaine and was also charged with speeding, New South Wales state police have said.
They said the 22-year-old Volpato, who switched allegiances from Italy to Australia before the World Cup, was allegedly clocked at 50km (30 miles) an hour over the designated speed limit when police stopped him on Sydney’s Anzac Bridge early on Friday morning.
He was subjected to a roadside drug test which returned a positive result for cocaine, police said in a statement.
Volpato made three appearances for the Socceroos at the latest World Cup.
The forward represented Italy at youth level but never appeared for the senior national side.
He began his youth career with Sydney United, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers.
Volpato’s big break came when Roma signed him in 2020. He moved to Sassuolo in 2023, where he established himself as a Serie A player.
His final appearance for Italy came at under-21 level in 2025. Volpato had previously been linked with a switch to Australia ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Open Questions
- What will be the legal consequences for Volpato?
- What will be the sporting consequences for Volpato?
