YERAY ALVAREZ NEWS

Athletic Bilbao's Álvarez gets 10-month ban after taking banned substance in hair-loss treatment

Athletic Bilbao player Yeray Álvarez has been handed a 10-month ban by UEFA for failing a banned substance test due to taking a medicine to prevent hair loss caused by cancer treat...

SEPTEMBER 8 • Associated Press

Suspended 10 months Alvarez has been suspended 10 months and will be able to resume competition early in April 2026, the club announced.

Impact Alvarez has been suspended for 10 months by UEFA following the conclusion of its disciplinary investigation. The ruling recognized there was no intent to dope, as the banned substance came from misuse of his partner's hair-loss medication, but stressed the player remained responsible for verifying it was permitted. The suspension, effective June 2, means Alvarez can return to competition on April 2, 2026, though he may resume training two months earlier the club mentioned.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Temporarily suspended Alvarez has been temporarily suspended by UEFA after testing positive in a doping control following the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Manchester United, the clu...

Impact Alvarez overcame cancer and announced on his Instagram that the positive result was due to the accidental ingestion of a hair loss medication containing a banned substance. The disciplinary proceedings are currently under investigation and are subject to confidentiality, but the defender has been temporarily suspended by UEFA from playing football. This is a big blow for Athletic since Alvarez is an undisputed starter in central defense. Until the club and the player resolve the situation, Aitor Paredes is expected to have a larger role in the backline.

JULY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Athletic Bilbao player Yeray Álvarez suspended for taking banned substance in hair loss treatment

Athletic Bilbao player Yeray Álvarez says he has been provisionally suspended after falling a banned substance test due to taking a medicine to prevent hair loss caused by cancer t...

JULY 11 • Associated Press

Out to face Barcelona Alvarez (thigh) is out for Sunday's match against Barcelona.

Impact Alvarez was thought to be an option for Sunday's season finale but has missed out, not seeing the starting XI or bench. This is a tough way to end the season for the defender, starting in 20 of his 21 appearances while notching one goal on nine shots to go along with 25 tackles, 34 interceptions, and 127 clearances.

MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Fit for Sunday Alavrez (thigh) is an option for Sunday's match against Barcelona, accoridng to Junma Velasco of Marca.

Impact Alvarez missed last outing but appears to have shaken off all issues heading into Sunday's match, as he is once again an option. This is good news, as he is a regular starter, likely to see that spot immediately if fully fit for the season finale.

MAY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Likely available against Barcelona Alvarez (thigh) is expected to be available for Sunday's final game of the season against Barcelona after resuming team training on Thursday, according to Inaki Ugalde of Mundo Dep...

Impact Alvarez was spotted back in team training on Thursday and is expected to be available for Sunday's season finale against the Blaugranas after recovering from his thigh injury. The defender is a key starter when fit and is likely to return directly to the starting XI if deemed ready for the match.

MAY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Out with thigh injury Alvarez is out for Sunday's match against Valencia due to a thigh injury, accoridng to his club.

Impact Alavrez is a late absentee from Sunday's squad list, with the defender suffering from a thigh injury. This is a tough loss for the club, as he is a regular starter when fit. That said, a change will be made, with Aitor Paredes or Andoni Gorosabel as possible replacements.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Makes eight clearances Alvarez registered eight clearances and one interception in Wednesday's 1-0 victory versus Las Palmas.

Impact Alvarez helped keep the clean sheet Wednesday with eight clearances during the win over Las Palmas. This was his first start since March 30, having been an unused sub the last three league clashes. Overall, the defender has appeared 18 times in the starting XI in 19 games played, averaging about 5.3 clearances per contest.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to starting XI Alvarez (groin) is in the starting XI for Thursday's trip to Rangers.

Impact Alvarez missed out last time out with a groin issue, but is now back in the starting XI in Europa League action. The defender is a constant starter when fit, though he gets frequent rest days with games coming so quickly in all competitions. Alvarez's return sends Aitor Paredes to the bench.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

In squad Thursday Alvarez (groin) features in the squad that will face Rangers on Thursday in the Europa League.

Impact Alvarez missed Sunday's clash against Villarreal due to a groin injury but revealed it to be a minor issue since he is back in the squad for Thursday's game. He will likely play a big part in that game since he has been an undisputed starter for Bilbao.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Out with adductor injury Alvarez is out for Sunday's match against Villarreal due to an adductor injury, according to his club.

Impact Alvarez is out for the club's next contest, appearing to have suffered a groin injury the day before the contest. This is a tough blow for the club, as he is a regular starter in the defense when fit. That said, Aitor Paredes is a likely replacement for the defender while he is out.

APRIL 5 • ROTOWIRE

Unlikely hero Alvarez scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Sunday's 1-0 win against Sevilla.

Impact Alvarez could not have picked a better moment to score his first La Liga goal of the season. In Sunday's 1-0 over Sevilla, the center back scored the winner in the 84th minute with his only attempt of the match. He also won two of his three duels, made 15 defensive actions, and was not dribbled past once. It seems unlikely that Alvarez will score in consecutive matches, but he does have the opportunity to do so after the international break against Osasuna.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Two late goals as Barcelona rallies to beat Atletico Madrid 4-2

Atletico Madrid relinquished a two-goal lead in its 4-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish league in another setback for the club after it was eliminated by Real Madrid in the Champi...

MARCH 16 • Associated Press

Suspension cleared Alvarez is no longer suspended in the Europa League and is an option moving forward.

Impact Alvarez was sent off in the first leg against Roma and missed the second leg due to suspension. He has now served his ban and will be available moving forward. His next chance to play in the competition will be in the quarterfinal first leg against Rangers on April 10.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

Logs 12 clearances in draw Alvarez made one tackle (won), 12 clearances and two interceptions during Sunday's 1-1 draw against Mallorca.

Impact Alvarez put up another spectacular performance at the heart of the defense, simply dominating opposing forwards and not let them generate danger from open play. His 12 clearances were a season high for domestic play and he has now 41 over his last six league starts, profiling as one of La Liga's most intriguing fantasy options at his position.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Set for suspension Alvarez was sent off in the 85th minute of Thursday's 2-1 loss to Roma in the Europa League and will miss the second leg.

Impact Alvarez will miss the second leg against Roma after receiving a straight red card late in the game. Aitor Paredes is expected to take his place for that match. Alvarez will be available for the next round if Bilbao advances.

MARCH 6 • ROTOWIRE

Returns in Copa del Rey Alvarez (calf) was an unused sub in Thursday's 3-2 loss to Osasuna in the Copa del Rey.

Impact Alvarez didn't step into the game Thursday, but his presence on the bench suggests he's deemed fit enough to play. Thus, he should be part of the squad when Athletic takes on Celta Vigo on Sunday.

JANUARY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up injury again Alvarez (calf) has suffered a muscle injury to his right calf which is preventing him from taking part in full training, the club announced.

Impact Alvarez has had a challenging season due to recurring injuries, appearing in just 11 of 15 matches so far. He has contributed 19 interceptions, 36 clearances, and 11 tackles. With this update, it appears that Aitor Paredes will continue partnering with Dani Vivian in the center of defense for the foreseeable future.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Option for Athletic Alvarez (calf) is on the bench for Sunday's match against Alaves.

Impact Alvarez was forced off at halftime during the UEL win over Fenerbahce with a calf injury. He's struggled to maintain healthy during the first half of the season, playing six times since Oct 28. In the last six appearances, the defender has recorded 20 clearances with 10 interceptions and five tackles in all competitions, starting in all of those contests.

DECEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Set for return Alvarez (calf) is an option for Sunday's match against Alaves, according to manager Ernesto Valverde. "They're fine, that's why they're on the list. Well, they have done all the tr...

Impact Alvarez is in for a return following his early exit from the club's last match, with his calf issue appearing to be minor. He will hope to see the start immediately now that he is fit, starting in 10 of his 16 appearances on the team sheet.

DECEMBER 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Subbed off injured Alvarez was substituted at halftime due to injury during Wednesday's UEL clash against Fenerbahce. The defender was unable to continue into the second half after sustaining a bruis...

Impact Alvarez has dealt with injury issues this season but has still contributed solidly, with 11 tackles, 19 interceptions, and 35 clearances in 10 appearances across all competitions. He is questionable for Sunday's game against Alaves. Aitor Paredes is expected to fill in for him in defense if he is unavailable.

DECEMBER 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Available as substitute Alvarez (thigh) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Espanyol.

Impact Alvarez returns as expected following a seven match absence due to a thigh injury. The defender is a locked in starter when fully fit, but will be eased back into match action from the bench.

OCTOBER 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Trains fully, ready for play Alvarez (thigh) completed full training and is an option for Saturday's match against Athletic, according to manager Ernesto Valverde. "Yeray, I think so. He has done complete trai...

Impact Alvarez looks to be in for a return following the break, with the defender healing from his thigh issues and training. This is great news for thew club, as he started in their first four games of the season before missing the past seven games due to his injury. That said, he will hope to assume the spot in the starting XI immediately.

OCTOBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Left off squad list Alvarez (thigh) has been left off the squad list for Thursday's match against Leganes.

Impact Alvarez is once again out, with the defender being left off the squad list for a second straight match. His current status is unknown, but he was unlikely to feature either way after such a quick turnaround. He will hope to get back on the field in their next match, although that is still up in the air.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE