Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez says he has been provisionally suspended for “unintentional” use of a banned substance used to deal with alopecia.

The 30-year-old Spaniard failed a doping take a look at after Bilbao’s 3-0 defeat by Manchester United within the Europa League semi-finals on 1 Could.

He stated he had been taking the drugs as a part of his remedy for hair loss after being identified with testicular most cancers in 2016.

Alvarez, who has made 257 appearances for the La Liga membership, stated he “could not consider it” when he was knowledgeable of the take a look at, including it was a “very onerous blow” to take.

“After learning the case, we have now established that I examined constructive as a result of I unintentionally took a hair loss prevention medication containing a banned substance,” Alvarez stated in a social media submit, exterior.

“The disciplinary process is at present below investigation and topic to confidentiality so I’m provisionally suspended and am not authorised to make any additional public statements.

“I very a lot remorse this case however, with the help of the membership, I’m engaged on my defence within the perception that I can return to the sphere of play as quickly as attainable.”

Uefa have informed BBC Sport they won’t touch upon the case till a ultimate disciplinary choice has been made.

An Athletic Bilbao assertion stated: “Athletic Membership needs to specific its full help for Yeray Alvarez presently and its full confidence within the our bodies charged with resolving the case.

“As soon as the proceedings are concluded, Yeray Alvarez and Athletic Membership will provide all of the pertinent and essential explanations.”