Athletic Club player Yeray Alvarez has been banned for failing a doping test following a Europa League game against Man Utd last season.
The Europa League trophy on display.
The Europa League trophy on display. (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
An Athletic Club player who faced Manchester United in the Europa League semi-final last season failed a doping test after the clash against Ruben Amorim's side.
Yeray Alvarez, 30, started at centre-back for the La Liga heavyweights when United overcame them 3-0 in the first leg at San Mames. After the match, he was selected for a random drug test by officials at the stadium.
Just over four months later, UEFA have released a statement revealing the defender tested positive for a banned substance and has since "accepted a voluntary provisional suspension, having effect from that date." The Spaniard has since claimed the substance within his body has come from a treatment he used to combat alopecia.
In their statement, UEFA wrote: "On 1 May 2025, Athletic Club player Yeray Alvarez underwent an in-competition doping control carried out by UEFA following a UEFA Europa League match.
"The analysis of the player's sample by a WADA-accredited laboratory revealed the presence of Canrenone, which is a substance prohibited in- (and out-) of competition under the category S5. Diuretics and Masking Agents of the 2025 WADA Prohibited List.
"On 2 June 2025, the player accepted a voluntary provisional suspension having effect from that date. Following the opening of disciplinary proceedings against the player - on 10 June 2025 - two UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors conducted an investigation and the case was submitted to the UEFA disciplinary bodies for decision.
Content Image
Content Image
"At its meeting on 19 August 2025, the relevant UEFA disciplinary body decided to suspend the player for 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.
"In accordance with Article 10.14.2 of the UEFA Anti-Doping Regulations, the player may return to train with a team or use the facilities of a club in the last two months of his period of ineligibility, i.e. as of 2 February 2026."
Speaking on his social media page, Alvarez wrote: "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 will be banned until April.
Alvarez will be banned until April.(Image: Europa Press 2025)
"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. I very much regret this situation but, 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."
United comfortably overcame Athletic Club with goals from Casemiro and a first-half double from captain Bruno Fernandes. Amorim's side then followed up the away victory with a 4-1 triumph at Old Trafford, which saw Mason Mount score a brace and Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund get on the score-sheet.
Alvarez has been at Athletic Club throughout his whole career, making 325 appearances for the Basque club. He played a huge role in his club's Copa Del Rey triumph in the 2023/24 campaign, the only major trophy he has won with his childhood club, so far.
He will be unavailable for the majority of the campaign as a result of the failed test.
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.