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.