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Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez says he has been provisionally suspended for “unintentional” use of a banned substance used to treat alopecia.<\/b><\/p>\n
The 30-year-old Spaniard failed a doping test after Bilbao’s 3-0 defeat<\/a> by Manchester United in the Europa League semi-finals on 1 May.<\/p>\n He said he had been taking the medicine as part of his treatment for hair loss after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016.<\/p>\n Alvarez, who has made 257 appearances for the La Liga club, said he “couldn’t believe it” when he was informed of the test, adding it was a “very hard blow” to take.<\/p>\n “After studying the case, we have established that I tested positive because I unintentionally took a hair loss prevention medicine containing a banned substance,” Alvarez said in a social media post, external<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n “The disciplinary procedure is currently under investigation and subject to confidentiality so I am provisionally suspended and am not authorised to make any further public statements.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n Uefa has told BBC Sport it will not comment on the case until a final disciplinary decision has been made.<\/p>\n An Athletic Bilbao statement said: “Athletic Club wishes to express its full support for Yeray Alvarez at this time and its complete confidence in the bodies charged with resolving the case.<\/p>\n “Once the proceedings are concluded, Yeray Alvarez and Athletic Club will offer all the pertinent and necessary explanations.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n