Volpato’s cocaine test: Australia’s World Cup star in doping scandal

Cristian Volpato’s rapid rise from Sydney’s junior ranks to the Socceroos’ World Cup squad has been matched only by the speed of his latest headlines. The 22-year-old Sassuolo midfielder, who featured in three of Australia’s four games at the 2026 tournament, now faces a doping allegation after a night behind the wheel ended with two police stops and a positive roadside cocaine test.

The night that changed everything

On Thursday 5 June, Volpato was twice pulled over by New South Wales police on the Anzac Bridge in Sydney. At 11:05pm, he was stopped for driving between 86-94km/h in a 60km/h zone and subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a negative result. Two hours later, at approximately 1:10am, he was stopped again—this time for allegedly travelling at 109km/h in the same zone. A roadside drug test allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine, with police taking a secondary oral fluid sample for further analysis.

Volpato was issued an infringement notice for speeding and had his international driver’s licence suspended for six months, barring him from driving in New South Wales. No criminal charges have been filed, but police confirmed their inquiries are ongoing. The sequence of events, first reported by BBC Sport, paints a picture of a night where reckless driving and alleged drug use collided.

The sporting and legal fallout

Volpato’s alleged cocaine use carries consequences beyond the roadside. Under FIFA’s anti-doping regulations, a positive test for a recreational stimulant like cocaine—classified as a “substance of abuse”—triggers an automatic provisional suspension pending further investigation. The process is designed to be swift, with hearings scheduled within days rather than weeks. If Volpato’s B-sample confirms the A-sample result, he could face a ban ranging from three to 12 months, depending on mitigating factors and his cooperation.

Football Australia has stated it is “aware of reports” and is in contact with the player, offering support as the case unfolds. The players’ union, Professional Footballers Australia, echoed this stance, confirming it would ensure Volpato is supported throughout the process. Sassuolo, his club, has yet to comment publicly, but the allegations will inevitably cast a shadow over his future at the Serie A side, where he has made 26 appearances across all competitions.

The timing could not be worse. Volpato’s World Cup performances—including starts against the USA and Paraguay—positioned him as a key figure in Australia’s midfield future. His switch from Italy’s youth teams to the Socceroos just before the tournament added narrative weight to his rise. Now, those three caps hang in the balance, along with his reputation as a player who could anchor Australia’s next generation.

Australia’s reputation in the crossfire

This is not just a personal crisis for Volpato; it reflects on Australian football’s broader image. The Socceroos have long traded on resilience and grit, but doping allegations—even unproven ones—risk undermining that narrative. The case arrives at a sensitive moment, as the sport grapples with perceptions of off-field conduct, from social media controversies to legal troubles.

Volpato’s case also raises questions about the enforcement of anti-doping rules. FIFA’s list of prohibited substances includes cocaine, and the threshold for a positive test is clear: any trace detected in a sample triggers an investigation. Unlike performance-enhancing drugs, cocaine falls under the “substances of abuse” category, meaning bans are typically shorter but still mandatory. The process is designed to be impartial, but public opinion often moves faster than due process.

For Australia, the stakes are high. The Socceroos’ 2026 World Cup campaign, though ending in the round of 32, was widely seen as a step forward. Volpato’s alleged misstep risks overshadowing that progress, especially if the case drags on or results in a ban. Football Australia’s measured response—contacting the player and monitoring the situation—suggests a desire to avoid premature judgment, but the optics are already damaging.

Volpato’s journey from Sydney United 58 to Sassuolo and the Socceroos was built on potential. Now, that potential is under threat, not from a missed tackle or a poor performance, but from a night where his choices collided with the law. The next few weeks will determine whether his career can recover—or if this becomes the moment that defined it.

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