In an early morning traffic stop on Sydney’s iconic Anzac Bridge that has sent ripples through Australian soccer, 22-year-old former Italian youth international turned Australian World Cup representative Cristian Volpato is facing serious allegations of speeding and testing positive for cocaine, New South Wales state police confirmed in an official statement released Friday.
Law enforcement officers pulled Volpato over after radar detection clocked the player traveling 50 kilometers per hour, or 31 miles per hour, above the posted speed limit on the heavily trafficked bridge. Following the stop, officers administered a standard roadside drug screening, which returned a positive result for the presence of cocaine in Volpato’s system, according to police details.
The case marks a sudden off-field controversy for the young player, who made a high-profile national team switch in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, choosing to represent Australia instead of his native Italy. During the tournament, Volpato earned three caps for the Socceroos, becoming part of one of the World Cup’s most memorable underdog stories that saw Australia advance to the knockout round.
As of Friday, no formal charges have been announced by New South Wales police, and the investigation into the allegations remains ongoing. The Australian Football Association has not yet released an official comment on the matter following the public announcement of the allegations.