Mon, September 08, 2025
Alvarez suspended for banned substance used to prevent hair loss following his cancer treatment
30-year-old Yeray Alvarez, Athletic Bilbao defender, has been suspended for 10-months for using a banned substance which is used to prevent hair loss following his cancer treatment. The substance is named canrenome, and Alvarez tested positive in May after a 3-0 defeat by Manchester United in the Europa League.
Canrenome is a diuretic. Diuretics are drugs which increase urinary flow and so are sometimes used as masking agents as they can flush previously taken prohibited substances with forced diuresis.
Alvarez was unfortunately diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, and UEFA accepted that he “involuntarily” consumed canrenome whilst taking medicine to prevent alopecia. However, he will still have to serve a 10-month suspension for committing a “non-intentional anti-doping rule violation.”
Athletic Bilbao stated:
“In its decision, UEFA acknowledged that there was no intentionality on the part of the player, finding it proven that the ingestion of the prohibited substance was due to the player’s incorrect use of a hair loss preventative medication containing the substance, unintentionally taking it as a drug…
The federation body recalls that, under current regulations, the athlete is responsible for his actions and, consequently, should have confirmed whether the medication was permitted before taking it…
The sanction began on June 2, as Yeray Alvarez voluntarily accepted the provisional suspension. He will therefore be eligible to return to competition starting April 2, 2026.”
After initially being placed on provisional suspension, Alvarez expressed on social media: “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.”
As Alvarez was put on provisional suspension back in June, the time he has served since then will be removed from the 10 months. He is officially eligible to return to the pitch for competition on 2 April 2026 but can participate in training sessions and use his club’s facilities from 2 February 2026.
Athletic face Arsenal in the Champions League next week.
