UEFA has handed down a tough sanction against Yeray Álvarez, defender of Athletic Club, after a doping control in the Europa League revealed the presence of a banned substance. The European governing body announced that the player will be sidelined for 10 months, a ruling that will have a direct impact on the Basque side’s season.

The Positive Test That Took Him Off the Field

The case dates back to May 1, 2025, when Yeray Álvarez underwent a routine doping test after a Europa League match. The sample, analyzed in a laboratory accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), showed the presence of canrenone, a substance listed as prohibited due to its diuretic and masking properties.

UEFA explained that on June 2, 2025, the player voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension while the investigation advanced. The disciplinary file was formally opened on June 10, and after a full review, the governing body reached its final decision during the meeting held on August 19.

The Ban and the Possible Return

According to UEFA’s ruling, Yeray Álvarez must serve a 10-month suspension, which counts from the start of his provisional ban on June 2, 2025, until April 2, 2026. However, UEFA’s anti-doping regulations allow the defender to return to training with his team from February 2, 2026, two months before completing the full sanction.

Although the violation was considered unintentional, the suspension will leave Athletic Club without one of its most experienced defenders for the majority of the season. The club has not yet made any official statement on whether it will provide additional support measures for the player during this period.

For Yeray Álvarez, this represents one of the toughest challenges of his career. The big question now is how he will perform when he returns to competitive action after nearly a year out and what role he will take in the team’s system once the suspension ends.