Modena, July 24, 2026 – Trouble for Cristian Volpato: the 22-year-old Sassuolo striker reportedly tested positive for cocaine after being caught driving almost 50 km/h over the speed limit in Sydney in a BMW Coupé, a few hours after already being stopped by police and fined for speeding. Australian media reported the news.
Volpato stopped twice in the same night
Volpato, who participated in the last World Cup with the Socceroos, was therefore reportedly stopped twice in the same night while driving a BMW Coupé: the first on the Anzac Bridge at 11:05 PM on Thursday evening, after being detected at a speed between 86 and 94 km/h in a 60 km/h zone; the second while traveling at 109 km/h in the same area.
Positive for cocaine
During the first check, the player had undergone an alcohol test which was negative, but subsequently, when he was stopped again for speeding, he reportedly tested positive for cocaine despite telling police he had not taken drugs.
License revoked and investigations
In addition to being fined, Volpato reportedly had his license revoked for six months in New South Wales, but the police announced that the investigations will continue and that a second saliva sample has been taken.
From Sassuolo to Australia
At Sassuolo since 2023, Volpato had chosen to play for Australia – after playing for Italian youth national teams – in May, close to the call-ups. At the World Cup, where the Socceroos were eliminated in the round of sixteen by Egypt, he played in three of the four matches.
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