Sassuolo Winger Volpato Handed A$722 Fine After Sydney Cocaine Test
Sassuolo winger Volpato has received an A$722 fine after New South Wales police found cocaine in samples taken following a random roadside test on Sydney’s Anzac Bridge. The matter has been settled through an administrative penalty notice, with no further criminal action to follow.
Quick facts
- Volpato was stopped for a random test on July 24 while driving in Sydney.
- An initial roadside result and laboratory testing of a further sample detected cocaine.
- The 22-year-old said he had never knowingly taken or ingested a prohibited substance.
- Medical checks conducted after his return to Sassuolo in Italy were negative.
- He is also recovering from a hamstring problem sustained against Bologna.
The Sydney-born right-sided player contacted Football Australia soon after the incident to give his explanation. He has strongly denied knowingly consuming any banned substance.
Sassuolo arranged follow-up testing when Volpato returned to the club’s training centre in Italy. Those subsequent examinations produced negative results, while the police case has now been formally closed.
Volpato switched his international commitment from Italy to Australia shortly before the World Cup. Italy had missed qualification for a third successive edition of the tournament, while Volpato went on to make his senior Australia debut in a pre-tournament friendly against Switzerland.
He was subsequently included in the Socceroos’ World Cup squad and appeared in group matches against the United States and Paraguay. Volpato also played 74 minutes of Australia’s round-of-32 defeat to Egypt, which ended in a penalty shootout.
His immediate priority is now fitness. The winger was forced off against Bologna this week with a hamstring injury and is expected to spend time out as Sassuolo assess his recovery.
Volpato has played three Serie A matches this season and is under contract at Sassuolo until June 2028. The club’s medical staff are monitoring him as he works towards a return before the autumn schedule, when he will seek to establish himself in the right-flank role.
