Cristian Volpato’s Socceroos fate uncertain after second sample confirms positive cocaine test
Cristian Volpato's availability for the Socceroos is now in the hands of Football Australia after NSW Police confirmed a secondary test showed the Sydney-born forward had cocaine in his system. Volpato, a late addition to Australia's World Cup squad after switching allegiance from Italy, was pulled over for speeding on Sydney's Anzac Bridge in July and returned a positive roadside drug reading, which he disputed after a private clinic test came back negative. A follow-up oral fluid test administered by police confirmed the positive result, leaving Football Australia to decide whether to refer the case to its disciplinary and ethics committee, which has the power to suspend him from national duty ahead of January's Asian Cup.
Volpato was fined $722 and will face no further police action, having been caught driving at 109km/h in a 60km/h zone before the initial test. He has consistently maintained his innocence, telling Football Australia he never knowingly took the substance, and points to a subsequent negative test taken in Italy, where he plays for Sassuolo. Football Australia said it is seeking independent verification and would not comment further while the matter is handled under its protocols; the closest precedent is A-League Women goalkeeper Teresa Morrissey, who received a three-game ban after testing positive for cannabis. Socceroos coach Tony Popovic declined to say whether Volpato would be considered for this month's friendlies against Brazil, saying he would wait for the process to conclude.
In short
- Volpato's second drug test confirmed positive for cocaine
- Football Australia could suspend him before the Asian Cup
- Player denies knowingly taking the substance, cites negative Italy test
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Football Australia could refer Volpato for discipline because a police follow-up test confirmed the roadside positive result, and representing the national team carries responsibilities that may justify action even without further police proceedings. A suspension could uphold consistent standards and protect confidence in the team’s conduct, while allowing the case to be assessed under the association’s protocols.
The case against
Volpato says he did not knowingly take cocaine and points to a negative test in Italy, while the conflicting results make independent verification and a fair hearing important before any sanction. The police matter has ended without further action, and excluding him from national duty before the facts and circumstances are resolved could be unfair and damage his career.
Explained simply
The Socceroos are Australia’s men’s national football team, and Cristian Volpato is a Sydney-born forward who plays club football in Italy. He was raised in Australia but represented Italy at youth level before switching his international allegiance to Australia and joining its World Cup squad.
Football Australia oversees the national team and can refer conduct matters to its disciplinary and ethics committee, which may restrict a player from representing Australia. Anti-doping rules apply to footballers, while police drug tests and football’s own disciplinary process are separate matters.
The case matters because any decision could affect Volpato’s future selection, including for the Asian Cup. It also raises questions about how football authorities assess test results and a player’s account when deciding whether national-team sanctions are appropriate.
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