Cristian Volpato suspended for six months after testing positive for cocaine

Australian midfielder Cristian Volpato, 22, who plays for Serie A club Sassuolo and represented Australia at the 2026 World Cup, tested positive for cocaine following a high‑speed police stop in Sydney. Police recorded Volpato driving a BMW at 109 km/h on the Anzac Bridge, well above the 60 km/h limit. An initial oral fluid test returned a positive result; a second sample was taken for confirmatory analysis.

The Football Federation Australia (FFA) has provisionally suspended Volpato’s international licence for six months while the investigation continues. The player has denied using the drug, and no formal criminal charges have been filed. The incident has prompted the FFA to monitor the case closely and offer support to the athlete.

Volpato began his career in Sydney’s youth academies before moving to Italy, where he progressed through AS Roma’s system and transferred to Sassuolo for a reported €7.5 million. He has previously represented Italy at youth levels and switched allegiance to the Socceroos in 2026.