Socceroos star allegedly tests positive for cocaine after speeding

Volpato switched allegiances from Italy to Australia in May

>Socceroos World Cup star Cristian Volpato has allegedly tested positive for cocaine after police twice stopped him for speeding in Sydney on the same night.

>The 22-year-old Australia midfielder was stopped in a BMW Coupe on the Anzac Bridge at 11:05pm local time on Thursday night after he was caught travelling between 86-94km/h in a 60km/h zone, police said.

>He was subjected to a roadside breath test, which returned a negative result.

>However, Volpato allegedly returned a positive result for cocaine when he was stopped two hours later for travelling at 109km/h in the same 60km/h zone.

>New South Wales state police said Volpato was issued an infringement notice for excess speed, while his international driver's licence was suspended for six months - which means he cannot drive in New South Wales.

>The police also said their inquiries will continue and a secondary sample of oral fluid was taken for further analysis.

>Volpato played in three of Australia's four World Cup matches as they reached the round of 32, where they were knocked out by Egypt in a penalty shootout.

>Having represented Italy at youth level, he switched allegiances to Australia in May just before the Socceroos announced their squad for the tournament.

>Volpato has played at Serie A side Sassuolo since 2023 and he made 24 league appearances for the club as they finished 11th last season.

>BBC Sport has approached Football Australia and Sassuolo for comment.

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