Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez said Thursday he has been provisionally suspended for testing positive for a prohibited substance following a Europa League clash against Manchester United in May. The 30-year-old centre-back said he took the substance "involuntarily" through medicine he was using to combat hair loss following treatment for testicular cancer. Alvarez was diagnosed in 2016 for the disease and, after treatment, returned to play in 2017, but suffered a recurrence later that year, making a second comeback in 2018.&nbsp;"After overcoming my illness, I have been taking a treatment against alopecia for years, and after studying the issue, we have found out that the positive test came because I involuntarily took a preventative medicine against hair loss, which contained a prohibited substance," said Alvarez in a statement. "The disciplinary proceedings are currently in an investigatory phase and confidential, so I am provisionally suspended and I am not authorised to make further public comment."&nbsp;Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/did-over-speeding-kill-liverpool-forward-diogo-jota-truck-driver-who-saw-this-crash-reveals-1752149084397">Did over-speeding kill Liverpool forward Jota? Truck driver who saw this crash reveals, ‘The family has my word…’</a>&nbsp;Alvarez said his positive test came after Bilbao's 3-0 home defeat by Man United in the Europa League semi-final first leg on May 1.&nbsp;The defender also played in the second leg and two further La Liga matches before the end of the season. Alvarez said he was told he had tested positive "a few weeks ago" and hearing the news was "a very tough blow".&nbsp;"I could not believe it, given that never in my life have I taken prohibited substances," explained the Spaniard.&nbsp;Athletic Bilbao said in a statement that they "lament the human error of Yeray" and will show the defender support, but cannot make any further comment at this time.&nbsp;European football governing body UEFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.&nbsp;Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Alvarez said his positive test came after Bilbao's 3-0 home defeat by Man United in the Europa League semi-final first leg on May 1.

Athletic Bilbao defender Yeray Alvarez said Thursday he has been provisionally suspended for testing positive for a prohibited substance following a Europa League clash against Manchester United in May. The 30-year-old centre-back said he took the substance "involuntarily" through medicine he was using to combat hair loss following treatment for testicular cancer. Alvarez was diagnosed in 2016 for the disease and, after treatment, returned to play in 2017, but suffered a recurrence later that year, making a second comeback in 2018. "After overcoming my illness, I have been taking a treatment against alopecia for years, and after studying the issue, we have found out that the positive test came because I involuntarily took a preventative medicine against hair loss, which contained a prohibited substance," said Alvarez in a statement. "The disciplinary proceedings are currently in an investigatory phase and confidential, so I am provisionally suspended and I am not authorised to make further public comment." Also read | Did over-speeding kill Liverpool forward Jota? Truck driver who saw this crash reveals, ‘The family has my word…’ Alvarez said his positive test came after Bilbao's 3-0 home defeat by Man United in the Europa League semi-final first leg on May 1. The defender also played in the second leg and two further La Liga matches before the end of the season. Alvarez said he was told he had tested positive "a few weeks ago" and hearing the news was "a very tough blow". "I could not believe it, given that never in my life have I taken prohibited substances," explained the Spaniard. Athletic Bilbao said in a statement that they "lament the human error of Yeray" and will show the defender support, but cannot make any further comment at this time. European football governing body UEFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for the WION audience.

Alvarez said his positive test came after Bilbao's 3-0 home defeat by Man United in the Europa League semi-final first leg on May 1.

La Liga: Athletic Bilbao defender suspended for 'involuntary' doping; club vows to back him

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is eager to return to football after having his doping ban reduced from four years to 18 months and said he dreams of playing at the 2026 World Cup with France.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport cut the 31-year-old's ban earlier this month after he was provisionally suspended by Italy's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia) in September 2023 following a positive test for DHEA, a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels.

Pogba, who appealed to CAS arguing his ingestion of DHEA was not intentional, will be eligible to return to play for Juventus in March - and he said he was stronger, wiser and even willing to take a pay cut.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/football/thomas-tuchel-targets-2026-fifa-world-cup-glory-as-he-takes-over-as-england-manager-768164">Thomas Tuchel targets 2026 FIFA World Cup glory as he takes over as England manager</a>

"I am ready to return to normal in 2025. I only have one desire, to play football. The reality is that I am a Juve player and I am preparing to play for Juve," Pogba told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday.

"I don't have to speak, the pitch will speak and then (coach) Thiago Motta will judge with his own eyes, based on what he sees. I'm ready to give up even money to play for Juve again. I want to come back," the player, who has a contract with Juventus until June 2026, added.

Pogba, who last played for Juventus over a year ago in a 2-0 win at Empoli, said that getting the initial ban was the most difficult moment of his career.

"It was a very difficult year and what hurt the most was spending every day outside the stadium and (Juventus's training centre) Continassa taking my children to school without being able to go inside to train or play for Juventus.

"Many past and current teammates have always supported me. (Juan) Cuadrado called me every other day and always made me laugh. (Paulo) Dybala sent me many messages. And then (Dusan) Vlahovic, (Weston) McKennie, (Timothy) Weah, (Moise) Kean... I didn't expect so many."

Pogba added that as well as getting back to his best for the Serie A side, he also wants to return to Didier Deschamps' France squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"The dream of the World Cup is there, but Deschamps hasn't opened the doors for anyone. It's up to me to open them he told me to work," the midfielder said.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is eager to return to football after having his doping ban reduced from four years to 18 months and said he dreams of playing at the 2026 World Cup with France.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is eager to return to football after having his doping ban reduced from four years to 18 months and said he dreams of playing at the 2026 World Cup with France. The Court of Arbitration for Sport cut the 31-year-old's ban earlier this month after he was provisionally suspended by Italy's National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia) in September 2023 following a positive test for DHEA, a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels. Pogba, who appealed to CAS arguing his ingestion of DHEA was not intentional, will be eligible to return to play for Juventus in March - and he said he was stronger, wiser and even willing to take a pay cut. ALSO READ: Thomas Tuchel targets 2026 FIFA World Cup glory as he takes over as England manager "I am ready to return to normal in 2025. I only have one desire, to play football. The reality is that I am a Juve player and I am preparing to play for Juve," Pogba told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday. "I don't have to speak, the pitch will speak and then (coach) Thiago Motta will judge with his own eyes, based on what he sees. I'm ready to give up even money to play for Juve again. I want to come back," the player, who has a contract with Juventus until June 2026, added. Pogba, who last played for Juventus over a year ago in a 2-0 win at Empoli, said that getting the initial ban was the most difficult moment of his career. "It was a very difficult year and what hurt the most was spending every day outside the stadium and (Juventus's training centre) Continassa taking my children to school without being able to go inside to train or play for Juventus. "Many past and current teammates have always supported me. (Juan) Cuadrado called me every other day and always made me laugh. (Paulo) Dybala sent me many messages. And then (Dusan) Vlahovic, (Weston) McKennie, (Timothy) Weah, (Moise) Kean... I didn't expect so many." Pogba added that as well as getting back to his best for the Serie A side, he also wants to return to Didier Deschamps' France squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. "The dream of the World Cup is there, but Deschamps hasn't opened the doors for anyone. It's up to me to open them he told me to work," the midfielder said. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Returning Paul Pogba eyes spot in 2026 World Cup squad after doping ban reduction

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La Liga: Athletic Bilbao defender suspended for 'involuntary' doping; club vows to back him

Returning Paul Pogba eyes spot in 2026 World Cup squad after doping ban reduction