LaLiga star banned from football after failing drug test

Athletic Club defender Yeray Alvarez has been provisionally banned from football after testing positive for a banned substance following a Europa League clash against Manchester United.

The 30-year-old centre-back claims the failed doping test was a result of medication he was taking to treat hair loss linked to previous cancer treatment.

In a heartfelt statement posted to social media on Thursday, Alvarez explained the situation surrounding his provisional suspension, saying, “After studying the case, we have established that I tested positive because I unintentionally took a hair loss prevention medicine containing a banned substance.”

Alvarez, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, noted that the medication was part of his ongoing recovery from alopecia, a condition triggered by his cancer battle.

The failed test came after Bilbao’s 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals in May, a tie they eventually lost 7-1 on aggregate.

Alvarez added, “The disciplinary procedure is currently under investigation and subject to confidentiality, so I am provisionally suspended and am not authorised to make any further public statements.”

Despite the controversy, Athletic Bilbao have stood firmly behind their player. Alvarez, a product of the club’s youth academy, has been a mainstay in the senior squad with 257 appearances in all competitions. The Basque outfit praised his integrity and expressed confidence in his eventual return.

Alvarez also mirrored these sentiments, saying, “With the support of the club, I am working on my defence in the belief that I will be able to return to the field of play as soon as possible.”

With a disciplinary investigation now underway, UEFA has stated that no further comments will be made until a final ruling is delivered. Players like Andre Onana and Paul Pogba have received bans following similar scenarios in recent years and it remains to be seen whether Alvarez will suffer the same fate.