Cristian Volpato fined after positive cocaine test in Sydney traffic stop | OneFootball

Australia international Cristian Volpato has been fined after a positive roadside cocaine test during a police traffic stop in Sydney. The Sassuolo winger maintains he never knowingly took a banned substance.

According to the Associated Press, New South Wales police issued a 722 Australian dollars fine after he failed a random drug test on Anzac Bridge on 24 July, with laboratory analysis of a second sample also confirming cocaine. The case was finalised by an administrative penalty notice, with no further criminal proceedings.

Volpato contacted Football Australia to explain the episode and reiterated that he had not knowingly ingested any prohibited substance. He underwent further medical checks on his return to Sassuolo's training base, with all subsequent results negative.

The episode comes after Volpato switched his international allegiance from Italy to Australia shortly before the World Cup. The 22-year-old made his senior debut in a warm-up against Switzerland, then featured in group matches with the United States and Paraguay before playing 74 minutes in Australia's round-of-32 exit on penalties against Egypt.

He is now sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained against Bologna earlier this week. After three Serie A appearances this season, he is targeting full fitness to compete for a starting role on the right flank, with club medics monitoring his recovery ahead of a busy autumn schedule. Volpato remains under contract with Sassuolo until June 2028.

Source: Goal.com

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