Australian World Cup star Volpato tests positive after Sydney arrests

The Australische WK-ganger Cristian Volpato, the 22‑year‑old forward of the Italiaanse club Sassuolo, tested positive for cocaine after being arrested twice in Sydney on Thursday, police said. He was stopped for driving 50 kilometres per hour over the speed limit and initially failed an alcohol test before the drug result came back.

Police reported that Volpato was first detained for excessive speed, exceeding the limit by roughly 50 km/h, and received a substantial fine.

The initial breathalyzer showed no alcohol, but later that evening a separate test returned a positive result for cocaine; authorities are waiting for the laboratory confirmation.

Volpato had featured for the Australian national team at the World Cup (WK) just three weeks earlier, representing the Socceroos (Australië) in the tournament.

He progressed through the Italian youth ranks before opting to represent Australia shortly before the World Cup, a decision that made him eligible for the Socceroos.

Australia were knocked out in the round of 32 after a penalty shoot‑out loss to Egypt.

Sassuolo have already begun preparations for the upcoming season, with several World Cup participants, including Volpato, still on holiday.

The accompanying photograph is credited © Getty Images via AFPCristian, and the article refers to him as Google-favorietVolpato.