Athletic Club's Yeray Alvarez banned for 10 months after doping violation

The 30-year-old said he unknowingly took the substance - canrenone- as part of hair loss treatment linked to alopecia, which developed after his previous battle with testicular cancer. UEFA confirmed the violation was not intentional.

Alvarez accepted a provisional suspension on June 2, and the full ban runs until April 2, 2026. He will be allowed to return to training on February 2, 2026, two months before his playing ban ends.

Yeray confirmed the situation publicly in July, expressing regret but emphasizing that the banned substance came from a medicine he didn't realize contained a prohibited ingredient. He is currently working on his legal defense with support from the club.

The suspension is a major blow for Athletic, especially as they prepare to return to the Champions League. The club tried to re-sign former defender Aymeric Laporte over the off-season break but the deal fell through on deadline day.

With Alvarez out, coach Ernesto Valverde now has just two experienced centre-backs - Dani Vivian and Aitor Paredes - as they gear up for their Champions League opener against Arsenal on September 16.

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