AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALLER FACES COCAINE TEST PROBE

Australian football star Cristian Volpato is under investigation after allegedly returning a positive roadside test for cocaine following two speeding incidents in Sydney.

The New South Wales Police said the 22-year-old midfielder was first stopped on the Anzac Bridge at about 11:05 p.m. on Thursday after he was allegedly caught driving between 86km/h and 94km/h in a 60km/h zone. A roadside breath test returned a negative result.

Police said Volpato was stopped again about two hours later after allegedly travelling at 109km/h in the same 60km/h zone.

As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, during the second stop, he allegedly returned a positive roadside oral fluid test for cocaine.

Authorities issued Volpato with an infringement notice for speeding and suspended his international driver’s licence for six months, preventing him from driving in New South Wales.

Police said a secondary oral fluid sample has been taken for laboratory analysis and investigations are continuing.

Volpato represented Australia at the recent FIFA World Cup after switching his international allegiance from Italy earlier this year.

He currently plays for Italian Serie A club Sassuolo.

Football Australia and Sassuolo have been approached for comment.