Police fine Socceroos midfielder Cristian Volpato after positive test for cocaine

Sydney (AP) — Cristian Volpato, the Socceroos midfielder who recently switched his international soccer allegiance from Italy to Australia, was fined approximately $520 on Wednesday due to a positive cocaine test. The 22-year-old, who plays for Sassuolo in Italy's Serie A, was pulled over by New South Wales police on July 24 and tested positive for cocaine through roadside and subsequent samples.

Despite maintaining his innocence to Football Australia staff, Volpato faced a fine of 722 Australian dollars and will not face further action. He had played three matches for Sassuolo this season but had to be substituted from a game against Bologna due to a reported hamstring injury. Volpato had just recently been included in the Socceroos' World Cup squad and had played a significant role in their progress to the knockout stages. Italy, however, had not qualified for the third consecutive World Cup.