Athletic Bilbao defender, Yeray Álvarez, has been handed a 10-month suspension following a failed doping test, UEFA confirmed on Monday.
The 30-year-old Spaniard tested positive for canrenone, a substance banned both in and out of competition, after Bilbao’s 3-0 home loss to Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals in May.
Álvarez voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension in June and later explained that the banned substance entered his system unintentionally through medication used for hair loss.
The player, who overcame testicular cancer in 2016, said the treatment was part of his alopecia management.
UEFA’s disciplinary panel announced on 19 August 2025 that Álvarez would be suspended for 10 months, effective from 2 June 2025, the start date of his provisional suspension. His ban will run until 2 April 2026.
“Under Article 10.14.2 of UEFA’s anti-doping rules, the player is allowed to resume training or use club facilities in the final two months of his suspension, beginning 2 February 2026,” the statement added.
A product of Bilbao’s youth academy, Álvarez has made 257 senior appearances for the club across all competitions.
