Cristian Volpato faces charges over speeding, cocaine test, police say
New South Wales police say the Australia World Cup forward tested positive for cocaine after a speeding stop in Sydney.
By Daniel Okafor · Business Editor
2 min read
Cristian Volpato faces charges after New South Wales police said the Australia World Cup forward was stopped for speeding in Sydney and returned a positive roadside drug test for cocaine. The case puts fresh attention on the 22-year-old, who recently played three times for the Socceroos at the World Cup.
Police said Volpato was pulled over on Anzac Bridge early Friday morning after allegedly driving 50km/h above the posted speed limit. In a statement, New South Wales police said officers then conducted a roadside drug test that allegedly came back positive for cocaine.
Al Jazeera and The Associated Press reported the police statement and identified Volpato as the player involved. No further case details were reported, including any court date or response from Volpato.
What is Cristian Volpato accused of?
New South Wales police said Volpato was charged in connection with alleged speeding and an alleged positive cocaine test after the traffic stop. A roadside drug test is a police-administered screening used during a stop; police said the test result in this case was positive for cocaine.
The alleged incident took place in Australia soon after Volpato’s first World Cup campaign with the Socceroos. He appeared in three matches for Australia at the tournament, according to Al Jazeera and The Associated Press.
Volpato’s international path drew attention before the World Cup because he had previously represented Italy at youth level. He did not play for Italy’s senior national team, and he changed his football allegiance to Australia before the latest World Cup, according to Al Jazeera and The Associated Press.
Volpato’s football career so far
Volpato began his youth career in Australia with Sydney United, Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers, Al Jazeera and The Associated Press reported. His breakthrough came in Europe after Roma signed him in 2020.
He later moved to Sassuolo in 2023, where he became a Serie A player. His last appearance for Italy came at under-21 level in 2025, according to Al Jazeera and The Associated Press.
Volpato had also been linked with a possible switch to Australia before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He ultimately made the change before the latest tournament, giving the Socceroos another attacking option on the international stage.
The police allegations now place Volpato in a legal matter away from the field. New South Wales police have said the charges arose from the Sydney stop, while the reported facts so far are limited to the alleged speed, the location and the roadside drug-test result.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.