Yeray Alvarez Receives 10-Month Ban from UEFA for Anti-Doping Violation
Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez has been suspended for 10 months by UEFA after failing a drugs test.
The 30-year-old player tested positive for the banned substance canrenone following a 3-0 defeat against Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals in May.
Canrenone is classified as a diuretic and can sometimes be used as a masking agent.
In July, Alvarez stated that he inadvertently ingested the substance through a preventative medication for hair loss that contained canrenone.
Alvarez, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, explained that he had been using this medication as part of his treatment for alopecia.
While UEFA accepted his explanation and acknowledged that he did not intend to consume a banned substance, he was still found guilty of a "non-intentional anti-doping rule violation."
Since Alvarez accepted a provisional suspension in June, the ban has been backdated. He will be eligible to return to play on April 2, 2026, and can resume training on February 2, 2026.
Throughout his career, Alvarez has made 257 appearances for Athletic Bilbao after progressing through the club's academy.