Eric Abidal's battle with cancer is one of the most heroic stories in football, but recent rumors claim there is a darker side behind that unforgettable story. According to a report by El Confidencial, Barcelona's former president resorted to illegal measures to help the French defender.
The Spanish paper claims Sandro Rosell, who was still at Barcelona during that time, took to the black market to find Abidal a liver. Eric, now the club's technical secretary, was in need of a transplant back in 2012 after a tumor had been found in his organ.
At the time, it was said that the liver was donated by his cousin, Gerard. However, it is being alleged that Spanish police have come across four phone calls from Rosell which suggest otherwise.
The Blaugrana has now issued a statement denying these allegations. They wrote on their official website: "In light of stories published today in relation to the liver transplant received by the club's former player and current Technical Secretary, Éric Abidal, FC Barcelona roundly deny any irregularity in the matter, as have Abidal and the Hospital Clinic de Barcelona facility.
"The stories omit an important fact, as this case was closed by a Barcelona court on May 18th. This omission has caused damage to the reputation of Éric Abidal, all of the organizations involved in the transplant procedures, FC Barcelona and former club president Sandro Rosell."
The Spanish champion also wrote that they are "saddened" by the spreading of this rumor. Regardless, it will only shine a negative light on the club and their disgraced former president, as Rosell is already facing persecution over money laundering charges and ties to illegal organizations.
