July 5 – Claims that embattled former Barcelona chief Sandro Rosell illegally bought a liver for French international defender Eric Abidal have been vehemently denied by the club and roundly condemned.
Police reportedly intercepted four phone calls from Rosell – who is to stand trial for alleged money laundering related to television rights and sponsorship of the Brazilian national football team – which allegedly suggest that the former Barcelona president purchased the organ in 2012.
Abidal underwent a transplant that year after a tumour was discovered and has rejected the latest claims, as have the hospital where the operation took place and Barcelona who said they “roundly deny any irregularity in the matter.”
The club went even further saying they were saddened at the way in which the information had been spread, especially as it was about such a sensitive matter “and reaffirm our commitment to Eric Abidal and his foundation to help improve the lives of children and young people affected by similar medical treatments.”
Rosell’s lawyer, Pau Molins, questioned the timing of the latest allegations against his client.
“It suits them to paint Sandro Rosell as a beast,” he was quoted as saying in Spain. “We don’t know anything about this report, but it annoys me that it is coming out one year after he has been imprisoned and as he waits for trial.
“The conversation that has come out has absolutely nothing to do with the [other] case,” Molins said. “I think they don’t want to go to trial so they are bringing out things to see how to buy time and how to hide, because they don’t know what to do with Rosell in prison.”
Abidal is now retired but previously spent six seasons at the Nou Camp. He returned to Barcelona in April 2013 and moved to Monaco later the same year. The 38-year-old is now Barca’s first-team technical secretary.
In a statement, Abidal spoke of his “annoyance and sadness” regarding the claims. “My cousin Gerard donated his liver to save my life and for this I am truly grateful to him.”
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