Cristian Volpato suspended after Sydney speeding and cocaine incident

Australian midfielder Cristian Volpato was arrested twice in one night in Sydney shortly after returning from the 2026 World Cup, where he represented Australia. The first stop recorded a speeding offence with a negative alcohol test. Two hours later he was stopped again for traveling 109 km/h in a 60 km/h zone; a roadside drug test returned a positive result for cocaine. As a result, New South Wales authorities suspended his international driving licence for six months while a confirmatory oral‑fluid analysis is carried out.

Volpato, who plays for Serie A club Sassuolo, has denied using cocaine, claiming the initial test was inaccurate and that an independent test showed a negative result. The Australian Football Federation said it is monitoring the situation, and the outcome of the second test could affect his playing eligibility.