Yeray Alvarez gets 10-month ban for doping violation

Alvarez Gets 10-Month Ban for Failed Drugs Test

Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez has been handed a 10-month suspension by UEFA after testing positive for a banned substance linked to hair loss treatment stemming from his cancer recovery.

The 30-year-old tested positive for canrenone, a diuretic often used as a masking agent, following Bilbao’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals in May.

What Is Canrenone and Why Is It Banned?

Canrenone is classified as a diuretic and masking agent under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) list. Although not a performance enhancer, it can potentially be used to cover up the presence of other banned substances.

UEFA concluded that Alvarez did not intend to cheat, but still found him guilty of a “non-intentional anti-doping rule violation.”

Alvarez’s Explanation: A Hair Loss Medication

Yeray Alvarez came through Athletic Bilbao’s academy

Alvarez, a cancer survivor diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, said the substance entered his system through a prescribed medicine used to prevent alopecia, a common side effect of cancer treatment.

He had reportedly been taking the medication for years as part of his long-term recovery and did not realise it contained a prohibited compound.

UEFA accepted the explanation but maintained that strict liability applies under doping regulations.

When Can Alvarez Return?

• Ban Duration: 10 months

• Backdated to June 2025 (due to provisional suspension)

• Eligible to resume training: 2 February 2026

• Eligible to play again: 2 April 2026

Alvarez’s Career at Bilbao

Yeray Alvarez has been a key figure at Athletic Club, making 257 appearances after progressing through the Lezama academy.

Known for his composure and leadership in defence, he remains one of the club’s most respected figures, particularly after his inspiring recovery from cancer.