Yeray Alvarez Returns to Athletic Club After Doping Ban & Cancer Battle

Athletic Club is set to welcome back experienced defender Yeray Alvarez this week, providing a timely boost as the team prepares for a crucial away match against Getafe on Sunday. His return aims to reignite their pursuit of European qualification, offering much-needed strength to the squad.

The 31-year-old defender had been serving a ten-month suspension, which commenced on June 2nd, 2023, following a positive test for a prohibited substance on May 1st, 2023. This incident occurred during his club's Europa League semi-final against Manchester United, as reported by Marca. The ban kept him sidelined until April 2nd of this year. Although prohibited from training with the first team or using club facilities until February 2nd, Alvarez has since had two months to regain match fitness.

Yeray Alvarez's Defense: Accidental Ingestion

Despite the positive test, Alvarez steadfastly asserts his innocence, claiming the ingestion of Canrenone was entirely accidental. He informed the Anti-Doping Committee that he inadvertently took his partner's hair loss medication after running out of his own prescribed treatment for alopecia.

Yeray's Health Struggles: A History of Cancer

Alvarez's use of medication for hair loss stems from his prior struggles with cancer. Diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2016, he underwent immediate surgery and made a swift return to play in February 2017. However, in the summer of that same year, the cancer recurred, necessitating a seven-month course of chemotherapy. He successfully overcame the illness, returning to action in 2018, and has since been managing hair loss as a side effect of his treatment.

Athletic Club's Defensive Woes This Season

Alvarez's absence has been acutely felt throughout the current season. With Athletic Club competing in the Champions League, the central defensive partnership of Aitor Paredes and Dani Vivian has struggled to maintain the stellar form of the previous campaign, contributing to a noticeable dip in team performance. The defensive line has been stretched thin, often forcing full-backs like Yuri Berchiche or Iñigo Lekue into makeshift central defensive roles.