The European Football Association (UEFA) has decided to suspend defender Yeray Alvarez for 10 months after it was proven that he used a prohibited substance in a doping test conducted after his team's match against Manchester United in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League semi-finals on May 1.

According to what was published by the newspaper "Mundo Deportivo", the test result was due to the player unintentionally taking a preventive medication for hair loss, part of the treatment he is undergoing after recovering from a testicular tumor.

Yeray has been provisionally suspended voluntarily since May 2, and according to the penalty, he will return to collective training on February 2, 2026, while he will be able to participate in official matches on April 2, 2026.

He is not allowed to train at the Lezama facilities, so he maintains his physical fitness by training with the Derio team under the guidance of his former teammate Iker Muniain.

UEFA confirmed that there was no intent to use doping, and that the incident occurred due to the unintentional consumption of a hair loss medication belonging to his partner, but emphasized in its statement that the player remains legally responsible for verifying the ingredients of any medication he takes.