Socceroos hero allegedly tests positive for cocaine after BMW stopped
Australia’s breakout World Cup star Cristian Volpato allegedly tested positive to cocaine after being pulled over by police in Sydney in the early hours of Friday morning.
The 22-year-old was allegedly twice detected speeding in a BMW Coupé across the Anzac Bridge in a two-hour period - first at 11.05pm Thursday night, then at 1.10am Friday. Police allege that both times he was driving well in excess of the speed limit - clocked between 86-94 km/h in a 60 km/h zone the first time, then at 109 km/h in a 60km/h zone.
Cristian Volpato has allegedly tested positive to cocaine. Getty Images
A NSW Police statement said the driver was breath tested the first time he was pulled over and returned a negative reading. He was drug tested the second time he was stopped and allegedly recorded a positive result for cocaine.
The statement added that a second sample of oral fluid was taken for further analysis.
He was issued infringement notices for both speeding offences and his international driver’s licence was suspended for six months. Police inquiries are continuing.
On Friday evening, it was reported that Volpato had returned a negative reading from another privately-organised sample, but it is unknown if this is in relation to the aforementioned incident or another event.
Volpato had been the toast of the nation after making an immediate impact as a Socceroo following a years-long international eligibility soap opera, with the young star eagerly pursued by his home nation as he held out for a potential call-up with Italy, where he debuted with glamour club AS Roma as a teenager.
The 22-year-old was a surprise last-minute inclusion in Tony Popovic’s squad after finally declaring that he wanted to wear the gold jersey.
His Socceroos debut was worth the wait, with the winger putting in an eye-catching performance off the bench in the 2-0 win over Turkiye.
He started both of the other group games and the heartbreaking Round of 32 penalty shootout loss against Egypt and was widely considered among Australia’s top three players at the tournament.
In a statement on Saturday, Football Australia said it was aware of the allegations.
“We have been in contact with the player and continue to monitor the matter and support the player throughout this process,” a spokesperson added.
Tony Basha, a Sydney-based soccer coach who trained Volpato before he moved to Italy and remains a mentor to him, said the 22-year-old 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 said using illicit drugs would be “out of character” for Volpato, who he said had been celebrating a friend’s birthday at The Ivy in Sydney’s CBD on Thursday night.
“I’m disappointed for him because he’s a young kid. He was shocked. I’m shocked because it’s a big allegation.”
Volpato has been back in Sydney recuperating and celebrating for at least the past week, with his time in the Harbour City regularly documented on his Instagram story.
His most recent story was snapped on Bondi Beach on Thursday afternoon. Volpato’s trip to Sydney was coming towards a conclusion with the star soon to be due back in Italy to start pre-season training with Serie A club Sassuolo.
He has been linked to a move to Fiorentina since his standout performances at the World Cup, with Sassuolo’s Italian rivals now coached by Fabio Grosso, the former defender notorious for his role in knocking the Socceroos’ golden generation side out of the 2006 World Cup in the Round of 16, after he went tumbling over Lucas Neill’s outstretched leg and a penalty was called in the last minute of regulation time.
Volpato is due to play his next match for Sassuolo in the opening round of the Serie A on August 24 (AEST). The Socceroos’ next match is scheduled against Brazil in Townsville on September 25.
