World Cup star allegedly tests positive for drugs in overnight scandal as coach stunned

Cristian Volpato is alleged to have returned a positive roadside drug test after being stopped twice by police within hours

Australia international Cristian Volpato is alleged to have tested positive for cocaine during a roadside drug test after being stopped by police twice in the space of two hours in Sydney.

The 22-year-old, who starred for the Socceroos at this summer’s World Cup after switching his international allegiance from Italy, was allegedly caught driving at 109km/h (68mph) in a 60km/h (37mph) zone on Sydney’s Anzac Bridge shortly after 1am on Friday.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Volpato returned a positive roadside test for cocaine despite reportedly telling officers he had not taken any drugs.

Police allegedly stopped the midfielder just two hours earlier after he was detected driving between 86km/h and 94km/h (53-58mph) in the same 60km/h (37mph) zone.

On that occasion, he reportedly returned a negative roadside breath test before being issued with an infringement notice for speeding.

Following the second stop, police took a secondary oral fluid sample for further laboratory analysis after the alleged positive roadside drug test.

Volpato’s international driving licence has been suspended for six months, although he has not been charged with a criminal offence.

Football Australia confirmed it is aware of the allegations but has not taken disciplinary action against the player.

Instead, the governing body said it is supporting Volpato while continuing to monitor the situation.

Under Football Australia’s code of conduct, players can face sanctions for behaviour that brings the game into disrepute, while the organisation also has the power to impose interim suspensions in certain circumstances.

However, no such action has been announced.

Volpato’s former coach and mentor Tony Basha insists the midfielder has strongly denied taking cocaine or any other illicit substance.

“He was adamant he didn’t touch it,” Basha told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“He’s a great kid. I don’t think he’s done it.”

Basha added that drug use would be “out of character” for the Australia international, who had reportedly been celebrating a friend’s birthday in central Sydney before the incident.

“I’m disappointed for him because he’s a young kid,” he said.

“He was shocked. I’m shocked because it’s a big allegation.”

Born in Sydney, Volpato came through the academies of Sydney FC and Western Sydney Wanderers before moving to Italy as a teenager to join Roma, where he made his Serie A debut aged 18.

He later joined Sassuolo and has recently been linked with a move to Fiorentina during the current transfer window.

Volpato was one of Australia’s breakout performers at the 2026 World Cup after making the high-profile decision to represent the Socceroos instead of Italy on the eve of the tournament.

The midfielder has not publicly commented on the allegations.