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Cristian Volpato is set for a court battle with the Socceroos star’s lawyer confirming he will challenge charges that he was driving with cocaine in his system.
The 22-year-old returned a positive roadside reading for cocaine after he was pulled over by police on Sydney’s Anzac Bridge on July 24.
He had been driving at 109 kilometres per hour in a 60km/h zone.
He later underwent independent testing at a private clinic, where it was claimed he returned a negative reading.
However, Volpato was then sent for a secondary oral fluid test by police, which again confirmed a positive result for cocaine.
He copped a $722 fine as a result of the second positive test, but on Thursday his lawyer Paul McGirr confirmed to AAP that he had elected to take the matter to court.
Volpato has maintained his innocence, insisting he never knowingly ingested the substance.
He also undertook a test when he returned to Italy, which was negative, his club side Sassuolo said.
The Sydney-born player was a late inclusion for the Socceroos’ World Cup campaign after switching his international allegiance from Italy to Australia on the eve of the tournament.
In a statement provided to AAP, a Football Australia spokesperson confirmed the organisation was aware of reports concerning Volpato and a “traffic matter currently subject to a police process”.
“As the matter is ongoing, it would not be appropriate for Football Australia to comment further at this time,” the spokesperson said.
Regardless, the positive reading on Volpato’s secondary police test could have major ramifications for his availability heading into January’s Asian Cup.
Sources have previously told AAP that Volpato could be hauled before FA’s disciplinary and ethics committee, where the sport’s governing body has the power to suspend him from national team action.
The 22-year-old is currently playing in Serie A with Sassuolo but is sidelined with a right leg injury sustained against Bologna this month.
AAP
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