Soccer-Australia forward Volpato tests positive for cocaine: reports


FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Australia v Egypt - Dallas Stadium, Arlington, Texas, U.S. - July 3, 2026 Australia's Cristian Volpato celebrates with team mates after Egypt's Mohamed Hany scored an own goal and Australia's first IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Jerome Miron/File Photo

MELBOURNE, July 24 (Reuters) - ⁠Australia forward Cristian Volpato tested positive for cocaine ⁠during a roadside test after being stopped for ‌speeding in Sydney on Friday, local media reported.

New South Wales Police said a 22-year-old man was stopped for speeding twice and ​drug-tested after driving a BMW at ⁠109 kph (68 mph) in ⁠a 60 km/h zone on Anzac Bridge at around 1:10 ⁠a.m. ‌on Friday.

The man was issued an infringement notice for speeding and had his international ⁠driver's license suspended for six months. Police were ​continuing inquiries.

Multiple ‌Australian media outlets reported Volpato as the driver, ⁠citing the ​NSW Police statement.

Governing body Football Australia (FA) said it was aware of the allegations against one of its players.

"We have ⁠been in contact with the player ​and continue to monitor the matter and support the player throughout this process," an FA spokesperson said in a ⁠statement, without naming the player.

Australia's players union, Professional Footballers Australia, said in a statement: "The PFA is aware of reports concerning Cristian Volpato and will ensure he ​is supported."

Volpato plays in Italy's Serie ⁠A for Sassuolo and represented Italy at junior levelsbefore ​switching allegiance to Australia ahead ‌of this year's World Cup.

Volpato's management ​and club Sassuolo did not provide immediate comment.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Kevin Buckland)

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