Australian footballer Cristian Volpato is under investigation after allegedly testing positive for cocaine during a roadside check, following two separate speeding incidents in Sydney.
According to New South Wales Police, the 22-year-old midfielder was first pulled over on the Anzac Bridge around 11:05 p.m. Thursday, after reportedly driving between 86km/h and 94km/h in a 60km/h zone. A roadside breath test administered at the time was negative.
Roughly two hours later, Volpato was stopped again, this time for allegedly travelling at 109km/h in the same 60km/h zone. During this second stop, as reported by BBC Sport, he allegedly returned a positive roadside oral fluid test for cocaine.
Authorities have issued Volpato an infringement notice for speeding and suspended his international driver’s licence for six months, barring him from driving in New South Wales. Police have also collected a secondary oral fluid sample for laboratory analysis, with further investigations ongoing.
Volpato, who recently switched his international allegiance from Italy to Australia, represented the Socceroos at the most recent FIFA World Cup. He currently plays for Italian Serie A club Sassuolo.
Both Football Australia and Sassuolo have been contacted for comment.
