Because of doping
Hammer penalty for Spanish football professionals
08.09.2025 – 3:39 p.m.Reading time: 1 min.
Bitter news for Borussia Dortmund’s Champions League opponent Athletic Bilbao. The Spanish first division club has to do without a player by next year.
The Spanish football professional Yeray Álvarez from the Spanish first division club Athletic Bilbao has been closed for ten months because of a doping violation. This was announced by the European Football Union (UEFA) on Monday. After the first leg in the European League semi-final against Manchester United (0: 3), the defense lawyer was tested positively for the forbidden diuretic canonon in May.
In its decision, the UEFA made it clear that Álvarez had not intentionally taken the substance. The defense lawyer said that the remedy had reached his body through a medication, which he used as a precaution against hair loss after his testicular cancer treatment. According to the club, the preparation came from his partner.
On June 2, Álvarez approved a preliminary lock that is now being credited. He can only play again from April 2, 2026. From February 2, however, he is allowed to train with the team and use the club systems. For Bilbao this means: Among other things, the Champions League game against Borussia Dortmund in October takes place without it.