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The Sydney Morning Herald
· collected 2026-09-17 · by Riley Walter, Vince Rugari
Cristian Volpato, an Australian soccer player, has contested a $722 fine for driving with cocaine in his system by pleading not guilty through his lawyer, Paul McGirr. Volpato claims the test was incorrect or contaminated and points to negative results from subsequent independent tests he took. He also suggests his drink may have been spiked while celebrating a friend’s birthday before being stopped by police. The article focuses on questioning the reliability of NSW Police’s roadside drug testing procedures in light of this case.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-17,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Cristian Volpato, a star player on Australia's national soccer team, has contested a $722 fine after testing positive for cocaine during a roadside drug test in Sydney. The 22-year-old player denies consuming any illicit drugs and claims his drink may have been spiked at a friend’s birthday celebration hours before the incident. Volpato’s lawyer, Paul McGirr, is requesting access to body-worn camera footage from the police officers who conducted the roadside tests as well as video from inside the testing facility to confirm there was no contamination or procedural errors during sample collection. This case raises questions about the reliability of NSW Police's roadside drug testing procedures.
Written for “Socceroos Cocaine Controversy” on 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Socceroos star Cristian Volpato has pleaded not guilty to driving with cocaine in his system and will challenge a fine worth hundreds of dollars, calling into question NSW Police’s roadside drug testing procedures.
asserted
Volpato → plead → procedures
Volpato, one of Australia’s breakout stars at this year’s World Cup, lost his international driver’s licence in late July after being caught speeding across Anzac Bridge twice in two hours – including once at almost 50km/h over the speed limit.
asserted
Volpato → lose → limit
The 22-year-old has repeatedly denied taking illicit drugs.
asserted
old → deny → drugs
Volpato’s supporters raised concerns his drink may have been spiked while celebrating a friend’s birthday in Sydney’s CBD hours before he was stopped by police.
uncertain
he → raise → police
Police earlier this month fined Volpato $722 after a sample of his oral fluid taken for analysis when he was pulled over returned a positive result.
asserted
he → fin → result
Volpato’s lawyer, Paul McGirr, said the 22-year-old had elected to challenge the infringement notice in the NSW Local Court.
asserted
old → say → Court
McGirr is seeking access to body-worn camera footage from the officers who stopped and tested Volpato, as well as footage from inside the testing facility where his oral fluid was taken for analysis, to ensure the sample was not contaminated or taken incorrectly.
“Our client has never touched cocaine and strenuously denies consuming it ever,” McGirr previously said.
asserted
McGirr → seek → it
McGirr said Volpato had voluntarily undertaken independent drug testing in the hours after he was stopped that had returned negative results for cocaine.
asserted
that → say → cocaine
In a statement issued days after Volpato’s initial positive result, his Italian club, Sassuolo, said the midfielder had taken further urine and blood tests upon his return to the club, which had returned negative results.
asserted
which → issue → results
Cocaine can pass through the system and be undetectable in urine and blood tests within a few days.
asserted
Cocaine → pass → days
It is unclear when the club tested Volpato.
uncertain
club → test → Volpato
The driving offence, which is not a criminal charge, constitutes an absolute liability offence.
asserted
which → constitute → offence
Under NSW law, prosecutors are not required to prove Volpato knowingly took cocaine.
asserted
Volpato → require → cocaine
McGirr said under the law, Volpato would be forced to plead guilty to an offence he maintains he did not commit in lieu of any proof that the oral sample had been contaminated or incorrectly taken or tested.
asserted
sample → say → proof
Volpato returned to Italy to train with Sassuolo the day after the July incident and has scored twice in the team’s first five matches.
asserted
Volpato → return → matches
However, a hamstring injury has ruled the 22-year-old out of Australia’s friendlies against Brazil in Queensland later this month, absolving coach Tony Popovic and Football Australia of any immediate decisions over whether to select Volpato for the national team.
asserted
injury → rule → team
Volpato will be required to appear in court if the challenge to the fine progresses to a hearing.
asserted
challenge → require → hearing
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