ATHLETIC BILBAO ace Yeray Alvarez has been suspended after failing a doping test following last season’s match with Manchester United.
Alvarez, 30, tested positive for a banned substance following Bilbao’s 3-0 loss to United in their first Europa League semi-final leg.
Athletic Bilbao ace Yeray Alvarez has been suspended after failing a doping testAitor Alcalde Colomer/Getty Images
Alvarez tested positive for a banned substance after last season’s match with Manchester UnitedCesar Ortiz Gonzalez/Soccrates/Getty Images
The centre-back played the full game as Ernesto Valverde’s side were soundly beaten by United at San Mames, which was also the venue that hosted the Europa League final.
Uefa confirmed in a statement that the former Spain Under-21 international would be suspended from competition until April 2026.
However, the defender will still be allowed to return to training in early February 2026.
Uefa’s statement read: “On 1 May 2025, Athletic Club player Yeray Alvarez underwent an in-competition doping control carried out by UEFA following a UEFA Europa League match.
“The analysis of the player’s sample by a WADA-accredited laboratory revealed the presence of Canrenone, which is a substance prohibited in- and out- of competition under the category S5. Diuretics and Masking Agents of the 2025 WADA Prohibited List.
“On 2 June 2025, the player accepted a voluntary provisional suspension having effect from that date.
“Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings against the player on 10 June 2025, two UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors conducted an investigation and the case was submitted to the UEFA disciplinary bodies for decision.
“At its meeting on 19 August 2025, the relevant UEFA disciplinary body decided to suspend the player for ten (10) months, starting from the date of the provisional suspension (i.e. 2 June 2025) and ending on 2 April 2026, for committing a non-intentional anti-doping rule violation.
“In accordance with Article 10.14.2 of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations, the player may return to train with a team or use the facilities of a club in the last two months of his period of ineligibility, i.e. as of 2 February 2026.”
Alvarez addressed the results of that test on social media in July and said the findings were from a treatment for alopecia.
The Bilbao ace stated: “After studying the case, we have established that I tested positive because I unintentionally took a hair loss prevention medicine containing a banned substance.
“The disciplinary procedure is currently under investigation and subject to confidentiality so I am provisionally suspended and am not authorised to make any further public statements.
“I very much regret this situation but, with the support of the club, I am working on my defence in the belief that I will be able to return to the field of play as soon as possible.”
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