Athletic Bilbao Defender Álvarez Set for Return After 10-Month Ban!
Spanish club Athletic Bilbao has announced the readiness of their defender Yeray Álvarez to return to action starting today, Thursday, following the completion of a ten-month suspension for violating anti-doping rules.
The 31-year-old player was sanctioned after testing positive for the prohibited substance "Canrenone" in a sample taken on May 1, 2025, during his team's participation in continental competitions.
The incident dates back to a Europa League semi-final match against Manchester United, where tests revealed the banned substance in the defender's sample, leading to his suspension between June 2, 2025, and April 2 of the current year.
Álvarez defended his position before the anti-doping committee, explaining that the substance's intake was accidental. He stated that he mistakenly used a hair loss treatment medication belonging to his partner after running out of his own alopecia medication.
The Spanish defender endured a period of forced athletic isolation throughout his ban, being prohibited from participating in team training with his teammates or using Athletic Bilbao's sports facilities until February 2, 2026.
