Overview
- NSW police say the 22-year-old was stopped twice for speeding on Sydney’s Anzac Bridge and that a roadside drug screen at the second stop allegedly detected cocaine, with the incidents reported on Friday.
- Officers took a secondary oral fluid sample for formal lab analysis, suspended the player’s international driver’s licence for six months and issued speeding infringement notices, and no criminal charges have been laid so far.
- Football Australia confirmed it is aware of the allegations, has been in contact with the player, and the players’ union said it will ensure Volpato receives support while inquiries continue.
- People close to Volpato have denied he took cocaine and some media outlets have reported independent negative tests, but those results have not been verified and do not replace the police laboratory process.
- If laboratory tests confirm the presence of a prohibited substance, Sport Integrity Australia and Football Australia procedures could lead to a separate sporting sanction that is independent of any criminal action and could include a multi-year ban.