Football Australia Reviews Cristian Volpato Case After Positive Police Test

Football Australia is reviewing information about Cristian Volpato after NSW Police confirmed that a secondary oral fluid test returned a positive result for cocaine. Australian Associated Press reported that the governing body is seeking independent verification before deciding whether the case will affect the Sassuolo forward's availability for the Socceroos.

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According to the AAP report published by The Guardian, police stopped Volpato on Sydney's Anzac Bridge on July 24. He returned a positive roadside reading for cocaine, then underwent separate testing at a private clinic where it was claimed that he recorded a negative result. The subsequent police oral fluid test was positive.

NSW Police told AAP that a 22-year-old man was issued a traffic infringement notice on September 1 for driving with an illicit drug present in oral fluid. The report said Volpato received a $722 fine and will face no further police action. It also said he had been stopped while driving at 109km/h in a 60km/h zone.

Volpato has maintained his innocence in discussions with Football Australia staff, saying he never knowingly ingested cocaine, AAP reported. Sassuolo also said a test taken after he returned to Italy was negative. Those points do not alter the police test result, but they remain part of the information Football Australia is assessing.

Football Australia said it had been informed about a reported secondary oral test involving one of its players and was handling the matter under its established protocols. The organization declined further comment while it seeks verification and works through a process intended to preserve procedural fairness. No suspension has been announced.

AAP reported, citing sources, that the case could be referred to Football Australia's disciplinary and ethics committee, which has the authority to suspend a player from national-team duty. That possibility could become relevant before January's Asian Cup, but it remains uncertain. Socceroos coach Tony Popovic said he did not know the full details and would not speculate while the process continued. Volpato, who changed his international allegiance from Italy to Australia before the World Cup, has made three appearances for Sassuolo this season.