Athletic's Yeray Alvarez tested positive in doping control

Athletic Club player Yeray Alvarez announced in a statement on Thursday that he tested positive in a doping test in a Europa League match against Manchester United as a result of "unintentionally" ingesting a "preventive medication against hair loss". 

"A few weeks ago I was told that I had tested positive in a UEFA doping test after the first leg of the Europa League semi-final against Manchester United. The news came as a huge shock and I honestly couldn't believe it, given that I have never in my life taken banned substances," the defender began in his statement.

"Since I overcame my illness, I have been undergoing treatment for alopecia for years and, after studying the case, we have established that the positive result was due to my unintentionally taking a preventive medicine against hair loss that contained a banned substance," he added.

According to the defender, the disciplinary proceedings "are currently under investigation and subject to confidentiality", so he is "provisionally suspended" and is not authorised to make "further public statements".

"I would like to say to all of you that I am very sorry for this situation but, with the support of the Club, I am working on my defence with the conviction that I will be able to return to the pitch as soon as possible. Once the process is completed, I will give all the necessary explanations," he continued.

To conclude, he thanked his club for the "support and backing from the very first moment" and also expressed his confidence "in justice and sporting institutions".