Bilbao star tests positive for nandrolone

Athletic Bilbao midfielder Carlos Gurpegi has had a positive result for the banned steroid nandrolone confirmed by his B sample, the club said on Monday.

Gurpegi tested positive for 19-norandrosterone, a metabolite of the steroid nandrolone, after the club's first Spanish league match of the season against Real Sociedad on September 1.

Bilbao said they had requested full details of the analysis because they were not informed of the results until three months after the original test. The recommended interval is 10 days.

"Until we are given the full details we reserve the right to question the results we have been given," the club said in a statement.

"We would also like to reiterate that no product which knowingly contained nandrolone has been given to the player, nor taken by him."

The club has a week to appeal to the Spanish Football Federation before a ruling is made over the case.

The 22-year-old midfielder is in his second season in the Bilbao first team. He has played in all 15 of his side's league games so far this term and has scored four goals.