{
  "id": 7977866,
  "title": "Court battle looms for Socceroos star after drug test",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/court-battle-looms-for-socceroos-star-after-drug-test",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T07:33:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News",
    "slug": "abc-news",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-17/cristian-volpato-to-challenge-drug-driving-charge-in-court/107165690"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Socceroos star Cristian Volpato is preparing for a court battle over a charge of driving with cocaine in his system. The 22-year-old tested positive for the drug after being pulled over on July 24, having been driving at 109 km/h in a 60 km/h zone on Sydney's Anzac Bridge. While his first test came back positive, he later submitted to an independent test which returned a negative result. However, a secondary oral fluid test conducted by police again confirmed a positive finding. Despite this, Volpato insists he never knowingly ingested the substance. His lawyer, Paul McGirr, has informed Australian Associated Press (AAP) that Volpato has decided to take the matter to court. The Sydney-born player maintains his innocence. He also underwent a further test upon returning to Italy, which came back negative. The Socceroos player was a late addition to the national team's World Cup squad, switching international allegiance from Italy to Australia just before the tournament. Football Australia is aware of the reports but has chosen not to comment further due to the ongoing nature of the police process. A positive result on Volpato's secondary police test could significantly impact his availability for the Asian Cup in January. Reports suggest he could be summoned before the FA's disciplinary and ethics committee, which has the power to suspend him from international team duties. Currently, Volpato is playing in Italy's Serie A with Sassuolo but is injured, having sustained a right leg injury against Bologna this month.",
  "summary": "Cristian Volpato is set for a court battle as the Socceroos star's lawyer confirms he will challenge charges that he was driving with cocaine in his system.",
  "key_points": [
    "Socceroos star Cristian Volpato faces court over cocaine charge.",
    "Positive test followed by negative independent and oral fluid results.",
    "Volpato's lawyer confirms he will take matter to court."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News AU",
        "title": "Court battle looms for Socceroos star after drug test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/court-battle-looms-for-socceroos-star-after-drug-test-7978727",
        "published": "2026-09-17T07:33:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}