Athletic Bilbao’s Yeray Álvarez has been suspended for 10 months after testing positive for a banned substance. Álvarez claims the substance was in medication he was using to treat hair loss following cancer treatment. UEFA acknowledged the violation was unintentional but upheld the suspension, sidelining the key defender until April 2026.
In a stunning blow to Athletic Bilbao, center-back Yeray Álvarez has been handed a 10-month suspension for violating anti-doping regulations. The suspension, announced by UEFA, stems from a positive test for canrenone, a prohibited substance, following a Europa League match earlier this year.
The 30-year-old Spaniard's test sample was collected after Athletic Bilbao's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United in the Europa League semi-final in May. Canrenone is a substance banned both during and outside of competition, leaving Álvarez facing a significant period away from the pitch. Álvarez accepted a voluntary provisional suspension in June, co-operating fully with the investigation.
Álvarez has since stated that the positive test was the result of unintentionally ingesting a banned substance present in medication he was using to combat hair loss. The defender, a key figure for Athletic Bilbao, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016. He claims the hair loss treatment was prescribed as part of his broader recovery and ongoing management of alopecia, a condition he developed following his cancer treatment. The player maintains that he had no intention of gaining an unfair sporting advantage and that he followed medical advice when using the specified treatment. He expressed deep regret and disappointment at the situation, stressing his commitment to fair play and integrity.
UEFA's disciplinary body met on August 19, 2025, and rendered its decision, confirming the 10-month suspension. The ban is retroactive, beginning on June 2, 2025 (the date of the provisional suspension) and concluding on April 2, 2026. While acknowledging the unintentional nature of the violation, UEFA regulations mandate a period of ineligibility. The governing body said in a statement that Álvarez is permitted to return to training with his team or to use club facilities during the final two months of his ban, beginning February 2, 2026.
This ruling is a significant setback for Athletic Bilbao, as Álvarez is a mainstay in their defense. The club must now navigate a considerable portion of the season without one of their key players. It also serves as a reminder of the stringent anti-doping regulations in professional sports and the potential consequences of even unintentional violations. The situation highlights the responsibility of athletes to ensure that any medication or treatment they use is compliant with anti-doping rules.
Álvarez's career has been marked by both triumph and adversity. Having progressed through Athletic Bilbao's youth ranks, he has become a familiar face in the first team. He has made over 250 appearances for the club in all competitions, becoming a favorite among the fans. His resilience in overcoming his earlier health challenges earned him respect and admiration within the football community. The suspension represents another hurdle in his career, one he must overcome to resume his place in the Athletic Bilbao squad. He will be eligible to play again in April 2026.
The club and player are considering their options, including a possible appeal. However, they are facing a race against time if they are to lodge an appeal before the ban takes effect. It is not clear, though, whether they will succeed in getting the ban overturned or reduced.
