In a case that highlights the complexities of anti-doping regulations in professional football, Athletic Club defender Yeray Álvarez has been handed a 10-month suspension by UEFA following a failed doping test after the club’s Europa League semi-final against Manchester United in May 2025. The ban stems from the unintentional ingestion of a prohibited substance through hair loss medication, directly linked to his previous battle with testicular cancer.
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The Incident: Europa League Semi-Final Testing
The positive test occurred on May 1, 2025, following Athletic Club’s 3-0 defeat to Manchester United in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final at Old Trafford. Yeray Álvarez underwent routine in-competition doping control as part of UEFA’s standard testing procedures for major European competitions.
Analysis of the player’s sample by a World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) accredited laboratory revealed the presence of Canrenone, a diuretic substance that appears on WADA’s Prohibited List under category S5. The substance is banned both in and out of competition due to its potential use as a masking agent and its ability to accelerate weight loss.
| Key Timeline Details | Date | Event |
|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2025 | Match Day | Europa League vs Man United (3-0 loss) |
| May 1, 2025 | Post-Match | Doping control conducted |
| June 2, 2025 | Suspension Start | Voluntary provisional suspension accepted |
| June 10, 2025 | Legal Process | UEFA opens disciplinary proceedings |
| August 19, 2025 | Decision | UEFA disciplinary body rules on case |
| April 2, 2026 | Return Date | Ban ends, eligible for competition |
Medical Background: Cancer Survivor’s Struggle
Yeray Álvarez’s case is particularly poignant given his medical history. The 30-year-old center-back was forced to step away from football in 2017 for several months to undergo treatment for testicular cancer. His courageous battle with the disease and subsequent return to professional football made him an inspirational figure in Spanish football.
Following his cancer treatment, Álvarez developed alopecia (hair loss) as a side effect, a common consequence of cancer therapies. To combat this condition, he began taking medication designed to prevent further hair loss. It was this treatment that ultimately led to his positive doping test, as the medication contained Canrenone without his knowledge.
The defender’s explanation centered on the involuntary nature of his violation. “I have never in my life consumed prohibited substances,” Álvarez stated when he first announced the positive result in July. “After studying the case, we verified that the positive test was due to a preventative hair loss medication I took unknowingly that contained a banned substance.”
UEFA’s Investigation and Ruling
UEFA’s disciplinary process was thorough and comprehensive. Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings on June 10, 2025, two UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors conducted an extensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the positive test.
The investigation concluded at a meeting on August 19, 2025, where the relevant UEFA disciplinary body made its decision. While acknowledging the unintentional nature of the violation, UEFA maintained that athletes bear ultimate responsibility for substances entering their bodies, regardless of intent.
The Ruling Details
UEFA’s official statement confirmed: “The relevant UEFA disciplinary body decided to suspend the player for ten (10) months, starting from the date of the provisional suspension (i.e. 2 June 2025) and ending on 2 April 2026, for committing a non-intentional anti-doping rule violation.”
The ruling includes several key provisions:
- Total suspension period: 10 months
- Suspension applies to all competitions
- Early training return: February 2, 2026
- Full competition return: April 2, 2026
- Acknowledgment of non-intentional violation
| Suspension Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Ban Length | 10 months |
| Effective Start Date | June 2, 2025 |
| Training Return | February 2, 2026 |
| Competition Return | April 2, 2026 |
| Competitions Affected | All UEFA competitions |
| Violation Type | Non-intentional |
Athletic Club’s Response and Support
Athletic Club demonstrated unwavering support for their player throughout the ordeal. The Basque club released a comprehensive statement expressing full backing for Álvarez and describing the situation as “human error” rather than any intentional wrongdoing.
The club’s statement emphasized their understanding of the circumstances: “UEFA acknowledged that there was no intentionality on the part of the player, finding it proven that the ingestion of the prohibited substance was involuntary and linked to the treatment he follows for alopecia.”
Athletic Club’s support extended beyond mere words, with the organization providing legal assistance and maintaining Álvarez’s position within the squad structure. The club confirmed that while suspended from competition, the player would continue to receive full support from the medical and coaching staff.
The Broader Context: Anti-Doping in Football
This case highlights the strict liability principle that governs anti-doping regulations in professional sport. Under current rules, athletes are responsible for any substance found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether they intended to gain a performance advantage.
The principle exists to maintain the integrity of competition and prevent athletes from claiming ignorance as a defense for intentional doping. However, cases like Álvarez’s demonstrate the harsh realities faced by athletes dealing with legitimate medical conditions.
Canrenone, the substance detected in Álvarez’s system, is classified as both a diuretic and a potential masking agent. While primarily prescribed for medical conditions including acne treatment and fluid retention, its inclusion on the prohibited list reflects concerns about its potential misuse in competitive sports.
Impact on Athletic Club’s Season
The timing of Álvarez’s suspension creates significant challenges for Athletic Club. The defender has been a crucial component of Ernesto Valverde’s defensive setup, making 28 appearances last season and contributing two goals while providing defensive stability.
Athletic Club qualified for the Champions League by finishing fourth in La Liga, marking their return to Europe’s premier competition. The loss of an experienced defender during such a crucial period represents a substantial blow to their European ambitions.
The club will need to adapt their defensive strategies and potentially explore the transfer market for reinforcements. With Álvarez sidelined until April 2026, Athletic faces the challenge of maintaining their defensive solidity without one of their most reliable performers.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
The case sets an important precedent for future anti-doping violations involving medical treatments for serious health conditions. While UEFA acknowledged the involuntary nature of the violation, the 10-month suspension sends a clear message about athlete responsibility.
The ruling balances several competing interests: maintaining the integrity of anti-doping rules, recognizing genuine medical circumstances, and ensuring fair treatment for athletes facing health challenges. The reduction from maximum penalties reflects UEFA’s consideration of the exceptional circumstances involved.
Personal Impact and Future Prospects
For Álvarez personally, the ban represents another significant challenge in a career already marked by adversity. Having overcome cancer and returned to elite-level football, the suspension tests his resilience once again.
The defender’s age (30) means the 10-month ban represents a substantial portion of his remaining peak years. However, his previous comeback from cancer treatment demonstrates the mental fortitude required to overcome such setbacks.
The early return to training provision offers some consolation, allowing Álvarez to maintain fitness and team integration during the final months of his suspension. This consideration reflects UEFA’s recognition of the unique circumstances surrounding his case.
Lessons for Professional Athletes
This case serves as a crucial reminder for professional athletes about the importance of verifying all medications and treatments with qualified sports medicine professionals. Even seemingly innocent treatments for medical conditions can contain prohibited substances.
The incident underscores the need for enhanced communication between medical practitioners and sports authorities to prevent similar situations. Athletes dealing with health conditions require specialized guidance to navigate the complex landscape of permitted and prohibited treatments.
Athletic organizations and medical professionals must work together to develop clearer protocols for athletes requiring ongoing medical treatment, ensuring compliance with anti-doping regulations while protecting player health and welfare.
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FAQs
Why was Yeray Álvarez banned despite the unintentional nature of the violation?
Anti-doping rules operate on strict liability principles, meaning athletes are responsible for any prohibited substance in their system regardless of intent. UEFA acknowledged it was unintentional but still imposed the ban.
What substance was found in Álvarez’s system and why is it banned?
Canrenone, a diuretic that can be used as a masking agent and for weight loss acceleration. It’s banned both in and out of competition under WADA regulations.
How does this relate to Álvarez’s cancer treatment?
After treating testicular cancer in 2017, Álvarez developed alopecia (hair loss) and took medication to combat it. This hair loss medication unknowingly contained the banned substance.
When can Álvarez return to playing for Athletic Club?
He can return to training on February 2, 2026, and compete in matches from April 2, 2026, when his 10-month ban ends.
Will this affect Athletic Club’s Champions League campaign
Yes, Álvarez will miss Athletic’s entire 2025-26 Champions League campaign, creating defensive challenges for manager Ernesto Valverde’s squad planning.
