The European Football Association (UEFA) has officially announced the suspension of the Spanish defender, Yari Alvarez, Athletic Bilbao player, for 10 months, after it was proven that he was using a banned material in the test of his doping test after his team’s match against Manchester United in the first leg of the European League semi -final.
When did the investigations with Alvarez started?
The Athletic Bilbao club had issued a statement last July, announcing the player’s suspension temporarily, after the results of the doping test showed the existence of a banned substance in the Alvarez sample. Since that time, an investigation began by the UEFA Disciplinary Committee.
Do Alvarez deliberately use the banned material?
According to an official statement issued by the Basque club, UEFA acknowledged that there is no intention to deliberately from the player, explaining that the banned material came as a result of taking a drug dedicated to his partner to prevent hair loss, and it contains elements included in the list of prohibited materials.
Why was he punished despite the absence of intention?
In its decision, the European Union explained that the current regulations hold the player full responsibility for what he is dealing with, and it was obligatory for Alvarez to ensure that the drug does not contain prohibited substances before using it, even if it was done unintended.
When does Alvarez’s penalty end?
The punishment has already started from June 2, 2025, the day when the player voluntarily agreed to submit to temporary suspension. Thus, he will be able to return to the official matches on April 2, 2026, while allowing him to join group training with his team two months before this date, that is, in February 2026, according to UEFA regulations.
