Sofia Quijada
Bilbao, Spain – UEFA has confirmed that Athletic Club centre-back Yeray Álvarez will serve a 10-month suspension after testing positive during the Europa League semi-final clash with Manchester United. The decision leaves the Basque side without one of their defensive stalwarts for most of the 2025/26 campaign.
UEFA’s Ruling
The governing body ruled that Álvarez’s violation was non-intentional, explaining that the 30-year-old defender had ingested medication belonging to his wife, prescribed for hair-loss prevention.
“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,” UEFA confirmed.
According to Article 10.14.2 of UEFA’s Anti-Doping Regulations, Álvarez will be allowed to return to training on 2 February 2026, two months before his official return to competitive football.
Impact on Athletic Club
The timing of the ban is a heavy blow for Los Leones. Athletic are returning to the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2015, but will now be forced to navigate the group stage without one of their most experienced defenders. The suspension also rules Álvarez out of the majority of their domestic commitments in LaLiga and the Copa del Rey.
For manager Ernesto Valverde, the challenge will be finding a reliable replacement to anchor the back line during this crucial period. Athletic’s defensive depth will be tested as they look to balance European competition with the demands of Spanish football.
What’s Next?
Álvarez’s absence raises questions about Athletic’s defensive resilience. Can they cope without him on Europe’s biggest stage? With Champions League nights returning to San Mamés, fans will hope the rest of the squad can step up and keep the club competitive across all fronts.
One thing is certain: Yeray Álvarez will be sorely missed until April 2026, when he is finally cleared to return to competitive action.