Exercise Bilbao Yeray Alvarez claims hair loss medication is blame for failed drug tests
Yeray Alvarez, a central defender at Bilbao, was temporarily suspended after testing positive for the default substance, claiming he was accidentally treated for hair loss.
On May 1, Alvarez tested positive after losing to Manchester United 3-0 in the Europa League semi-final.
The defender, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, insisted that he had never intentionally taken the banned substance and that his positive test stemmed from drugs used to treat hair loss.
“I was told a few weeks ago that I tested positive in the doping control conducted by the European Union after the first leg of the Europa League League semi-final against Manchester United. It was very difficult to accept the news and honestly, I can’t believe it because I’ve never used my life.
“I have been treating hair loss for many years since I overcome the disease and after researching this case, we found that the positive is because I involuntarily took a preventive medicine to prevent hair loss, which contains prohibited substances.
– yeray (@yerayalvarez4) July 10, 2025
“The disciplinary process is currently in the investigation stage and is confidential, so I have been temporarily suspended and I have no right to make other public statements.
“I want to tell you that I am very sorry for this situation, but with the support of the club, I am working on my defense, firmly believing that I can return to the playing field as soon as possible. Once the process is completed, I will provide all the necessary explanations.
“I would like to thank the Sports Club for their support and support from the first moments and to express my confidence in justice and sports institutions.”
Athletic added in a statement on its website: “As Yeray himself pointed out, the process is in the investigation stage and adheres to confidentiality, so the club is not authorized to make other public statements on the matter.
“Once the process is completed, Yeray Alvarez and the Sports Club will provide all relevant and necessary explanations.
“The Sports Club hopes to express its full support to Yerayálvarez at this time and is confident in the agency responsible for resolving the case.”
