Court battle looms for Socceroos star after drug test

Cristian Volpato, a standout player from Australia’s national soccer team (Socceroos) who recently shined at this year’s World Cup, is contesting a $722 fine issued by NSW Police for driving with cocaine in his system. The incident occurred on July 24 when Volpato was pulled over while driving at 109 km/h in a zone with a speed limit of only 60 km/h. He had previously lost his international driver’s license after being caught speeding across Anzac Bridge twice, including one instance where he exceeded the speed limit by almost 50km/h.

Volpato's lawyer, Paul McGirr, is seeking access to body-worn camera footage from the officers who stopped Volpato and to footage inside the testing facility to ensure that his oral fluid sample was not contaminated or mishandled. The player has consistently denied consuming illicit drugs, suggesting that his drink might have been spiked during a celebration for a friend's birthday in Sydney’s CBD shortly before he was tested by police.