Athletic Bilbao centre-back Yeray Alvarez has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance, which he claims he inadvertently took as part of a treatment for alopecia.
Alvarez tested positive following Athletic’s 3-0 loss to Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals on May 1.
The defender, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, insists he has never knowingly taken a banned substance and that his positive test stemmed from medicine used to treat hair loss.
In a statement posted on his social media accounts, Alvarez wrote: “A few weeks ago I was told that I had tested positive in a doping control carried out by UEFA after the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals against Manchester United. Receiving that news was a very hard blow and, honestly, I could not believe it, since I have never used prohibited substances in my life.
“Since I overcame my illness, I have been following a treatment against alopecia for years and, after studying the case, we have found that the positive was because I involuntarily took a preventive medicine against hair loss that contained a prohibited substance.
pic.twitter.com/lITD2d4rRK
— Yeray (@yerayalvarez4) July 10, 2025
“The disciplinary procedure is currently in the investigation phase and subject to confidentiality, so I am provisionally suspended and I am not authorised to make additional public statements.
“I want to tell you all that I am very sorry for this situation but that, with the support of the club, I am working in my defence with the conviction of being able to return to the playing fields as soon as possible. Once the process is completed, I will give all the necessary explanations.
“I want to thank Athletic Club for its support and backing from the first moment and express my confidence in justice and sports institutions.”
Athletic added in a statement on their website: “As Yeray himself has pointed out, the procedure is in the investigation phase and subject to confidentiality, so the club is not authorised to make additional public statements on this matter.
“Once the process is completed, Yeray Alvarez and the Athletic Club will offer all the explanations that are relevant and necessary.
“The Athletic Club wishes to express its full support for Yeray Álvarez at this time and its full confidence in the bodies in charge of resolving the case.”
