Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez has been suspended for 10 months after testing positive for a banned substance following last season’s Europa League semi-final against Manchester United. UEFA confirmed the sanction on Monday, marking a major setback for both the player and the Basque club.
Why Was Alvarez Banned?
UEFA revealed that Alvarez’s post-match sample from May contained Canrenone, a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. Although the governing body acknowledged that the 30-year-old consumed it “involuntarily,” the penalty still stands. Alvarez explained that the substance entered his system through medication he was using to address hair loss caused by his past cancer treatments.
The defender accepted a provisional suspension in June, which backdated the start of his 10-month ban. He will be eligible to return to competitive action in April 2026, though he can rejoin training with his teammates two months earlier.
What Is Alvarez’s Health Background?
Alvarez’s story has been marked by resilience. Diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, he returned to action the following year before facing a recurrence later in 2017. By 2018, he had made his second successful comeback and established himself as a regular for Athletic.
His latest setback comes after the club’s 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United in the Europa League semi-final first leg on May 1, where the positive test was recorded.
The suspension is a heavy blow to Athletic Bilbao, who are preparing for Champions League football this season. The timing is even more difficult for the club, given that their attempt to re-sign Spain international Aymeric Laporte from Al-Nassr collapsed late in the transfer window.
With Alvarez sidelined, Athletic will have to reshuffle their defensive options as they head into a demanding European campaign.
By Yockshard Enyendi
