ERIC ABIDAL has appeared in court following an investigation into the organ used for his life-saving liver transplant operation which it had been claimed was purchased ILLEGALLY.

The former Barcelona star, now the club's director of football, was diagnosed with cancer in 2011 while playing for the Spanish giants.

The Spanish National Guard reopened the probe into how the liver was bought after a breakthrough in their investigation last year.

Abidal, 40, and ex-Barca president Sandro Rosell testified as part of the investigation yesterday.

Spanish newspapers allege Rosell "tried to buy an illegal liver" for Abidal.

The operation was carried out in 2012.

At the time, it was claimed that the liver belonged to Abidal's cousin, Gerard Armand.

He testified to investigators on November 8 after claims money changed hands for the organ, or it belonged to someone else.

He told Spanish newspaper El Confidencial: "I was stunned. I am the one who has given the liver. I did not understand anything at all. People from my family came to see me.

"I was a month and a half in the hospital. And when I read that the liver that Eric received was perhaps not mine, I was stunned."
"I didn't understand anything at all and I still don't understand it. That is why I appeared before court, because I want to know if someone made a profit from my donation."

Abidal himself has said: "My cousin Gerard donated his liver to save my life and for this I am truly grateful to him.

"Existing procedures and protocols were followed at all times and all the medical documentation that proves so is available."

Barca were forced to release a statement in 2018 to deny the accusations.

It said: "In light of stories published in relation to the liver transplant received by the club's former player and current Technical Secretary, Eric 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 Eric Abidal, all of the organisations involved in the transplant procedures, FC Barcelona and former club president Sandro Rosell."

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