Tuesday, September 9, 2025 - Athletic Bilbao defender, Yeray Alvarez, has been given a 10-month ban for taking a banned substance found in a medicine used to prevent hair loss following his cancer treatment.
The 30-year-old Spaniard tested positive for canrenone
following a 3-0 defeat by Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals in
May.
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.
On June 2, the defender accepted a voluntary provisional
suspension, taking effect from that date, with disciplinary proceedings opened
by UEFA eight days later.
Two UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspectors conducted an
investigation, and the case was submitted to the UEFA disciplinary bodies for a
decision.
Alvarez has now been hit with a 10-month ban, which starts
from the date of his provisional suspension, on June 2, and ends on April 2.
He will be able to return to training in February and use
the facilities of Athletic Bilbao for the final two months of his ban.
Alvarez explained in July that he had unintentionally taken
the banned substance as treatment for hair loss, after being diagnosed with
testicular cancer nine years ago.
The defender said at the time that receiving the news was a
“hard blow” and he was shocked to learn of his positive test.
Athletic, who face Arsenal in the Champions League
next week, released a statement on Monday morning.
“The player, who had been provisionally suspended since June
2 following his positive test in the Europa League match against Manchester
United, will be able to return to training on February 2 and compete on April
2,” read the statement from Athletic Bilbao
“After the investigation phase was completed, UEFA’s
disciplinary body issued a ruling and imposed a ten-month ban on Yeray Alvarez.
“In its decision, UEFA acknowledged that there was no
intentionality on the part of the player, finding it proven that the ingestion
of the prohibited substance was due to the player’s incorrect use of a hair
loss preventative medication containing the substance, unintentionally taking
it as a drug.
“The federation body recalls that, under current
regulations, the athlete is responsible for his actions and, consequently,
should have confirmed whether the medication was permitted before taking it.
“The sanction began on June 2, as Yeray Alvarez voluntarily
accepted the provisional suspension. He will therefore be eligible to return to
competition starting April 2, 2026.
“However, the player can return to team training two months
earlier, in accordance with applicable regulations. Yeray Alvarez will hold a
press conference shortly, in which he will provide the necessary explanations.”
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