The ban was initially suspended after repeated appeals, with the player claiming that his body produced nandrolone naturally, but the appeals were in vain and he eventually was forced to serve his sentence, which ran until 23 April 2008; Athletic Bilbao, however, neither released the player nor took his number from the official squad, and he returned to action in a 3–0 away loss to Real Madrid four days later.
The ban was initially lifted after numerous appeals, with the athlete claiming his body naturally produced nandrolone, but the appeals were unsuccessful and he ultimately had to serve his sentence, which lasted until April 23, 2008; Athletic Bilbao, however, neither released the player nor took his number from the official squad, and he returned to action in a 3–0 away loss to Real Madrid four days later.