Overview

• The Spanish Football Association provisionally suspended the Athletic Bilbao defender this week after notifying him of his positive test.
• UEFA-administered samples from the Europa League semi-final first leg against Manchester United on May 1 contained a banned substance.
• Alvarez says the substance entered his system unintentionally through a hair loss preventive medication he has taken since recovering from testicular cancer.
• Athletic Bilbao has pledged full support for the 30-year-old and is helping him prepare a defense under strict confidentiality.
• UEFA has declined to comment until the confidential disciplinary investigation is complete.