- Alvarez suspended until April after failed doping test
- Tested positive for banned diuretic Canrenone
- Defender can resume training in February 2026
Athletic defender Alvarez has been suspended until April 2026 after failing an in-competition doping test, UEFA announced in a statement on Monday. The positive sample was taken following the Europa League semi-final first-leg match against Manchester United on May 1.
The 30-year-old’s sample was found to contain Canrenone, a substance prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) under the category of diuretics and masking agents. The test was conducted after a match in which Alvarez played the full 90 minutes as Athletic were defeated 3-0 at home by Manchester United. The suspension is a major blow to the Basque side, who will be without a key defensive player for the majority of the 2025-26 season.
The UEFA statement on the matter read: “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.
“At its meeting on 19 August 2025, 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.
“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.”
In a statement, Alvarez expressed his regret and confirmed his intention to challenge the finding. he said: “After studying the case, we have established that I tested positive because I unintentionally took a hair loss prevention medicine containing a banned substance.
“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.”
Alvarez is provisionally suspended from all football activities and will be ineligible to play for his club until April 2026. While the ban from competition is lengthy, UEFA has confirmed that he will be permitted to return to training with his team-mates from early February 2026. In the meantime, the player and the club are working on his defence as the disciplinary procedure continues.
