Volpato contests cocaine charge after positive police test
Socceroos midfielder Cristian Volpato's lawyer confirmed he will challenge drug-driving charges despite two positive police tests.
Cristian Volpato is a 22-year-old Socceroos midfielder. Volpato's lawyer confirmed he will challenge his cocaine-related driving charge in court on Thursday.
Police stopped him on Sydney's Anzac Bridge on July 24. Volpato was driving 109 km/h in a 60 km/h zone.
A roadside drug test showed positive for cocaine. Volpato later went to an independent private clinic and tested negative.
But police did a second oral fluid test that came back positive. He received a $722 fine after the second positive result.
Volpato says he never knowingly took the substance. After returning to Italy to play for Serie A club Sassuolo, another test came back negative, the club said.
He may now face a disciplinary review by Football Australia, which can suspend him from national team action.
- 109 km/h in 60 km/h zone
- Speed recorded
- $722
- Fine amount
- 22-year-old Socceroos midfielder
- Age and role
- Sassuolo (Serie A)
- Club
Why it mattersA conviction could keep one of Australia's top young footballers out of upcoming international tournaments. The different test results raise questions about how reliable these tests are.
AustraliaVolpato's possible suspension would weaken the Socceroos' squad ahead of January's Asian Cup, and the case raises reliability questions about roadside drug-testing procedures used across Australia.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 7 d ago
