Socceroos World Cup player Cristian Volpato could face a national team suspension following a second alleged positive cocaine test. The 22-year-old Sassuolo forward was issued a $722 fine after NSW Police confirmed a positive result from an oral fluid test during a July traffic stop.
Volpato, who represented Australia at the recent World Cup, has informed Football Australia staff that he never knowingly ingested the substance. He reportedly returned negative results from a private Australian clinic and a subsequent test in Italy. However, NSW Police stated that their secondary oral fluid test on September 1, 2026, returned a positive result for illicit drugs.
"On Tuesday 1 September 2026, a 22-year-old man was issued a Traffic Infringement Notice for drive motor vehicle with illicit drug present in oral fluid," NSW Police said in a statement. The police report indicated no further action would be taken against Volpato by law enforcement.
Football Australia confirmed it is aware of the situation and is seeking independent verification of the latest information. The governing body stated that the matter is being managed in accordance with its established protocols. "To protect the integrity of this process and ensure procedural fairness, we will not comment further," Football Australia said.
Volpato could be referred to Football Australia's disciplinary and ethics committee, which has the authority to suspend him from national team duties. No football-related suspension has been announced.
The incident occurred after Volpato was stopped twice on Sydney's Anzac Bridge in late July. The first stop on July 23 involved alleged speeding, for which he received an infringement notice and returned a negative breath test. A second stop in the early hours of July 24 led to another speeding infringement notice and the alleged positive roadside cocaine reading. His international driver's license was suspended for six months following the second stop.
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic declined to comment on Volpato's potential selection for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and the January Asian Cup, citing the ongoing process. "I don't know exactly the details of what happened and it would be wrong to speculate on what happened," Popovic said. "There is a process that's playing out at the moment and we need to follow that process."
Volpato, born in Sydney, switched his international allegiance from Italy to Australia shortly before the World Cup. He has made three appearances for Sassuolo this season but was substituted in their latest match due to a suspected hamstring injury.