La Liga Player Gets 10-Month Ban After Taking Banned Substance

A La Liga defender has been handed a 10-month suspension after testing positive for a prohibited substance linked to hair-loss medication. The player failed an anti-doping test conducted following a Europa League match earlier this year, with UEFA confirming the ban this week.

The player in question is Athletic Club’s Yeray Alvarez. The 30-year-old tested positive for canrenone, a diuretic that can also act as a masking agent, after Athletic’s 3-0 loss to Manchester United in May. The Spain international revealed he had been taking medication for alopecia linked to his previous battle with testicular cancer, which contained canrenone.

UEFA Confirms Suspension of Yeray Alvarez Until April 2

UEFA’s investigation confirmed the presence of the banned substance, but accepted Alvarez’s explanation that it was unintentionally ingested. Despite UEFA’s acknowledgement that there was no intent to gain a competitive advantage, Alvarez was still found guilty of a “non-intentional anti-doping rule violation.” Following the UEFA investigation, Yeray Alvarez has been handed a 10-month suspension that will keep him out of all competitions until April 2 next year.

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ℹ️ UEFA rules that Yeray made a mistake and issues a ten-month ban.

As Yeray voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension, the sanction is backdated to 2 June, meaning he can play again from 2 April 2026.
— Athletic Club (@Athletic_en) September 8, 2025

The 30-year-old defender had already accepted a provisional suspension in June, meaning the ban has been backdated. He will be eligible to return to training with Athletic in February and can resume playing matches from April 2, 2026.

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The news comes as a significant blow for both player and club, with Athletic preparing for a Champions League group-stage clash against Arsenal next week. Since breaking through from the academy, Alvarez has made 257 appearances for Athletic Club, becoming one of their most reliable defenders. Speaking in July, he admitted the positive test had been a “hard blow” and expressed shock at the outcome.

Athletic Bilbao

Athletic Club

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La Liga 2025-26

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Yeray Alvarez

Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.