Athletic Bilbao Corner Flag
Image Credits: GETTY IMAGES
The first leg of the Europa League semi-final on Thursday, 1st May saw Manchester United comfortably beat Athletic Club 3-0 at San Mames Barria, with Bruno Fernandes netting a brace and Casemiro also on the scoresheet.
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The result put United in a commanding position.
Although the Red Devils went on to win the second leg 4-1, their European hopes ended in disappointment after losing the final to Tottenham Hotspur.
A final which of course, meant United finished the season without qualifying for European football.
But the tie with Bilbao has now taken a darker turn.
Despite the heavy scoreline, Yeray Alvarez was one of the few standout performers for the visitors.
He made 5 clearances and 3 recoveries, and also earned a yellow card in the second half, as per FotMob.
As per COPE’ES’s report, Alvarez has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for doping during UEFA’s post-match control after the first leg in Spain.
He remains under investigation and is suspended until further notice.
The Athletic Club defender released a statement on X, confirming the result and attributing it to treatment for alopecia, which he says involved a preventive medication that unknowingly contained a banned substance.
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“Receiving that news was a very hard blow,” Yeray wrote.
“I couldn’t believe it, since I have never in my life consumed prohibited substances.”
He added that the case remains under investigation and that he is not permitted to make further public comments due to the ongoing disciplinary procedure.
Yeray also thanked Athletic Club for their unwavering support and said he is working on his defence “with the conviction that I can return to the pitches as soon as possible.”
“Aupa Athletic!” he concluded.
pic.twitter.com/lITD2d4rRK
— Yeray (@yerayalvarez4) July 10, 2025
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