Bilbao’s Yeray Álvarez Suspended 10 Months for Accidental Doping

Post by : Monika

Photo: Reuters

In football, players are not only judged by their skills on the field but also by how carefully they follow strict rules off the field. One of the most important rules is related to anti-doping. Every player must be careful about what medicines or supplements they use because even a small mistake can cause serious consequences.

This situation has now affected Yeray Álvarez, a long-time defender for Athletic Bilbao in Spain. Recently, he was suspended for 10 months after testing positive for a banned substance. What makes this case different is that the violation was not intentional. Yeray explained that the banned substance came from a medicine for hair loss, which he took without realizing it was not allowed.

The story has received a lot of attention because of his background, his battle with cancer in the past, and his respected career at Athletic Bilbao. Let’s go step by step to understand what happened, why he was suspended, and what this means for him and his club.

What Happened

Yeray Álvarez was tested for banned substances after a Europa League semi-final match against Manchester United in May 2025. The results showed the presence of Canrenone, which is on the list of substances banned by UEFA and FIFA.

Canrenone is a type of diuretic. These drugs are often banned in sports because they can hide the presence of other performance-enhancing drugs or help athletes lose weight quickly. Even though Canrenone itself may not directly improve performance, its presence in a player’s body automatically counts as a violation of doping rules.

As soon as the results came out, Yeray accepted a provisional suspension starting from June 2, 2025. This meant he had to step away from football activities while UEFA investigated the case.

Why It Happened

The important detail in this case is that the banned substance was not taken on purpose. Yeray explained that he used a medicine for hair loss (alopecia). This condition started after he underwent treatment for testicular cancer in 2016.

While the medicine helped with his hair growth, it contained Canrenone, which Yeray did not know was a banned substance. Because athletes are strictly responsible for whatever enters their body, even an accidental mistake can result in punishment.

However, UEFA accepted Yeray’s explanation. Their investigation showed that the violation was not intentional. Even so, they decided that some punishment was still necessary to maintain the fairness of the game.

• The Punishment
• UEFA’s disciplinary panel decided on a 10-month suspension. Here is the timeline of his ban:
• Ban starts: June 2, 2025
• Ban ends: April 2, 2026
• Can return to training with team: February 2, 2026

This means Yeray will miss almost the entire season. However, being allowed to train with the team two months before the official end of his ban will give him time to recover fitness and prepare for his return.

Yeray’s Career at Bilbao

Yeray Álvarez has always been more than just a regular player for Athletic Bilbao. He is a symbol of resilience and loyalty. Born in Spain, he came through the club’s famous youth academy and has spent his entire career at Bilbao.

• He has played 257 matches for the senior team.
• He has been part of Bilbao’s defense for many years, earning respect for his consistency and fighting spirit.
• In 2016, his career was almost stopped when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. But he fought back, recovered, and returned to the field stronger than before.

This history makes his suspension especially emotional for fans. Many supporters believe he should not be seen as a cheater, but as someone who made an unfortunate mistake.

UEFA’s Decision

UEFA has very strict anti-doping rules. Normally, doping bans can last for two to four years if the violation is intentional. But in Yeray’s case, the disciplinary panel considered the following points:

• The substance came from a medical treatment.
• Yeray did not take the drug to improve performance.
• He admitted the mistake honestly and cooperated with the investigation.
• His medical history (fighting cancer) gave context to why he used the medicine.

Because of this, UEFA reduced the punishment to 10 months instead of years. They said the punishment was necessary to keep the rules fair, but it also reflected the fact that Yeray was not guilty of cheating.

Reaction from Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Bilbao has shown full support for Yeray Álvarez. The club released a statement saying they believe in his honesty and commitment. Fans have also been supportive, remembering how he overcame cancer and returned to the game.

For the club, losing a player like Yeray is difficult. Bilbao is known for using only local players from the Basque region, which makes their squad smaller compared to other European clubs. Losing an experienced defender for most of the season is a big blow.

• Still, the club is standing by him and looks forward to his return.
• What This Means for Yeray’s Future

Being away from competitive matches for 10 months will be tough for Yeray. Football is a sport where rhythm and match fitness are very important. However, since he will be allowed to train from February 2026, he has a good chance to rebuild his form before making a full comeback.

If all goes well, he could be ready to play again in April 2026, just in time to help Bilbao at the end of the season. Fans and teammates are hopeful that he will return stronger, just as he did after his cancer treatment years ago.

A Lesson for Other Athletes

This case is an important reminder for all professional athletes. Even medicines that seem harmless—like those for hair loss, allergies, or flu—can contain banned substances.

• Athletes must:
• Always check the list of banned substances.
• Consult team doctors before using any new medicine.
• Be careful even with over-the-counter drugs.
• Yeray’s case shows how a small oversight can lead to a long suspension, even if the player never meant to cheat.
• Wider Impact on Football

Cases like Yeray’s also spark debates in the football world. Some argue that punishments should be lighter when mistakes are clearly unintentional. Others believe strict rules are necessary to prevent excuses and maintain fairness.

This balance between fairness and compassion is always difficult. In Yeray’s case, UEFA tried to strike a middle ground: a significant punishment to respect the rules, but also a shorter ban because it was accidental.

Yeray Álvarez’s 10-month suspension is a story of both caution and compassion. It reminds us how strict anti-doping rules are in football, but it also shows that authorities can recognize when a mistake is not intentional.

For Yeray, this is another challenge in a career already filled with battles, including his fight against cancer. With his character, determination, and the support of Athletic Bilbao and fans, many believe he will come back stronger once again.

Yeray Álvarez doping ban