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Yeray Alvarez is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao. The 30-year-old started his journey in Bilbao by rising from the youth team. He has made more than 257 appearances for Bilbao. Yeray Alvarez was handed a provisional suspension on Friday due to failing a doping test following his side’s Europa League game against Manchester United in which they were defeated 3-0 in May. The defender was left in shock after learning that he has been provisionally suspended due the use of a banned substance.
Yeray Alvarez stated that he unintentionally ingested a banned substance in medicine used to treat alopecia. The 30-year-old revealed that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016 and has been taking the medicine as part of his treatment for the resulting hair loss.
"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," said Alvarez in a social media post in which he tried to explain his ongoing situation. He also stated that he is working towards his defence and explained that whatever happened was fully non-intentional.
Athletic Bilbao show full support to their player Yerry Alvarez during this tough time
An investigation is taking place to find out if the use of the medicine was unintentional and if Yerry Alvarez is innocent. The Basque club made a statement stating, "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."
Alvarez will be hopeful that the investigation team would hear his plea and prevent his suspension as he used the medicine to prevent his hair loss not knowing that it was a banned substance.
