Yeray cleared to return after 10-month UEFA ban | OneFootball

Yeray Álvarez, born in Barakaldo in 1995 and a mainstay for Athletic under Ernesto Valverde, is cleared to resume league action after completing a 10-month UEFA suspension on two April. According to as.com, the case stemmed from an accidental doping violation linked to a hair loss treatment. He could be selected against Getafe on Sunday over the Easter weekend, the last league opponents he faced.

He returned a positive test on one May 2025 at the start of the Europa League semi-final with Manchester United. From two June he was removed from daily activities at Lezama and from all official events. He was permitted to rejoin team training on two February.

During the ban he undertook sessions with CD Derio, a Tercera Federación side overseen by Iker Muniain, but stopped in case UEFA interpreted that involvement against him because it is a semi-professional club. The 31-year-old then trained alone, guided by Emen4Sport, before returning to Lezama’s facilities.

At a press conference at Bilbao’s Hotel Carlton, he said he had made a mistake and would accept the consequences. In his youth he was likened to Puyol.

His contract runs until 30 June as the club holds elections and awaits the arrival of a new head coach. He revealed he chose not to take pay during the suspension. Back in contention, he aims to move on after twice overcoming testicular cancer.

Source: as.com