In a significant development in European football, UEFA has confirmed that an Athletic Bilbao player has been banned following a positive doping test conducted after a Europa League match against Manchester United last season.
The player, identified as 30-year-old defender Yeray Alvarez, tested positive for a prohibited substance during a routine check following the first leg of the Europa League semi-final, where Athletic Bilbao secured a 3-0 victory over Manchester United.
According to reports, Alvarez has been temporarily suspended pending further investigation. The defender issued a public statement addressing the situation, expressing shock and denying any intentional use of banned substances.
Alvarez explained that the positive result stemmed from a hair loss treatment he has been using for years to manage alopecia, which unknowingly contained a prohibited substance.
“Receiving this news was a huge blow, and I honestly couldn’t believe it, given that I’ve never used any banned substances in my life,” Alvarez stated.
He emphasized that the ingestion was unintentional and is working with his legal team and Athletic Bilbao to resolve the matter.
Athletic Bilbao also released a statement supporting their player, describing the incident as a “human error” and pledging full cooperation with UEFA’s ongoing investigation.
The club noted that the disciplinary proceedings are confidential, limiting further public comments until the process concludes. “Athletic Club laments Yeray’s situation and shows him all our support,” the statement read.
UEFA has not disclosed the specific substance detected or the duration of the provisional suspension, but sources indicate that the governing body is taking a firm stance on the violation.
The case has sparked discussions about the prevalence of doping in football, with UEFA’s anti-doping program coming under scrutiny. In the 2023-24 season, UEFA conducted nearly 4,000 tests across its competitions, with a significant focus on high-profile tournaments like the Europa League and Champions League.
Alvarez, a key figure in Athletic Bilbao’s defense, played a pivotal role in their Europa League campaign, which saw them defeat Manchester United 7-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.
The doping violation has cast a shadow over the club’s impressive run and raised questions about the player’s future in the sport.
As the investigation continues, both Alvarez and Athletic Bilbao remain hopeful for a swift resolution. The defender expressed confidence in returning to the pitch soon, stating, “With the club’s support, I am working on my defense, confident that I can return to the field as soon as possible.”
The football community awaits further updates as UEFA’s disciplinary process unfolds, with potential implications for Alvarez’s career and Athletic Bilbao’s upcoming season.
