OFFICIAL: Bilbao's player Yeray issues a ten-month ban by UEFA

UEFA announce that Bilbao's player Yeray issues a ten-month ban after positive doping test, the club confirms the information.

Club statement:

UEFA rules that Yeray made a mistake and issues a ten-month ban

The player, who has been provisionally suspended since 2 June after testing positive in a Europa League match against Manchester United, can return to training on 2 February and to playing on 2 April

Now that the investigation phase has been completed, UEFA's disciplinary body has given its ruling and issued Yeray Álvarez with a ten-month ban.

In its ruling, UEFA acknowledges that there was no intent on the part of the player, considering it proven that the ingestion of the prohibited substance was due to the incorrect use of a preventive medicine for hair loss which belonged to his partner, and contained the said substance, without any deliberate desire to dope.

UEFA points out that, in accordance with current regulations, athletes are responsible for their own conduct and, consequently, the defender should have confirmed whether the medication was permitted before taking it. 

As Yeray voluntarily accepted the provisional suspension, the sanction is backdated to 2 June, meaning he will be eligible to compete again from 2 April 2026.

However, the player may rejoin the team's training sessions two months before that date, in accordance with the applicable regulations.

Yeray will soon hold a press conference in which he will provide the necessary explanations.