Eric Abidal

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The BBC are reporting that Barcelona have released him:

1306:
FOOTBALL
Barcelona have decided to release Eric Abidal just weeks after the veteran defender made his comeback following a liver transplant.

The former France full-back returned from a year on the sidelines last month and played a cameo role as Barca claimed the Primera Division title.

Barcelona offered every support to Abidal during his recovery from the transplant last April, having previously had surgery to remove a tumour in March 2011, and he said "I understand and respect the decision of the club".


Hopefully he'll be able to continue his career somewhere else.
 

jojojo

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Abidal was very upset at the press conference and said he'd hoped to stay. That the two things that kept him fighting had been to recover to be a dad for his kids, and then to play again. He says he'd like to continue now at another club

Rossell was squirming alongside him, saying that extending his contract would have been the "easy option."

Barcelona did the decent thing last year, extending his contract even though they knew he was going to need further treatment. It's not unreasonable for them not to renew again. It was a sad goodbye though. The club say when he does retire from playing they've got a job for him.
 

Hernandez - BFA

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Abidal can play CB so I wouldn't put it an end to Evra>Monaco rumours just yet. I guess with Abidal getting on a bit, he's surely lost some pace to be the same LB he once was.
 

kouroux

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Monaco are building a really nice team. He's a free transfer and there are a lot of questions regarding his true level but he's got invaluable experience.
 

Ekeke

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He's only on a short term contract so I'm sure the idea is to just see what his condition is like.
 

KanieKaned

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jojojo said:
Has signed for Monaco for one season, option for a second.

Off topic but no Monaco move for Evra then?
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Not a chance. I wouldn't really think for someone who's come back from liver problems like he has can really be at the top of his game again. I reckon he'd be a great stop gap/cover due to his experience. He would most likely be used at CB more often than not as I think the role of the modernfullback might be too harsh on his body. The demand for a fullback to support attacks aswel as defend in the modern game requires an awful lot physically.
 

Aboutreika18

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Eric Abidal is angry at how his Barcelona career came to an end and claims he was not even paid by the club when he was seriously ill.

The 34-year-old Abidal had a liver transplant last April, ruling him out of the 2012 European Championship and keeping him away from football for one year. He returned to make a few appearances for Barcelona before leaving to join Monaco in the offseason.

"The problem was that my contract was coming to an end. In that case, either it's renewed, either it ends. I was prepared for both," Abidal said in an interview with sports daily L'Equipe published Friday. "It was hard to accept but you don't have the choice. The adventure with Barcelona is over, but I'm very happy to have started another one with Monaco."

But Abidal said he was disappointed at how his departure was announced.

"What was hard to understand was what Barcelona said during my last press conference. By saying that it was a professional choice, it made other clubs doubt," Abidal said. "It wasn't even a question of money. The proof being that all the months I was ill, the club didn't pay me. Now I'm lucky to have the trust of the Monaco coach and president. Touch wood, everything's fine. But it's true that there was a time when I doubted myself."

Abidal has played 90 minutes for Monaco in every league game and was expected to play for France later Friday in its World Cup qualifier at Georgia.

After joining from Lyon in 2007, Abidal played 125 league games for Barcelona, helping the Catalan club to win four league titles and two European Cups. He forged a close bond with former coach Pep Guardiola, who is now in charge of Bayern Munich.

"He's someone who appreciates me enormously and I'm still in touch with," Abidal said. "He was a great coach. He's the one who gave me my chance. If he was still there, I may have continued (with Barcelona)."
 

Ish

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Immense defender.

Interesting that Barca never paid him - even though he was under contract. Must have had some sort of clause "if you're out due to non football related injuries/illness, you won't get paid"?

Bit harsh.
 

Skywarden

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Abidal was reported as being angry with Barca for not paying him while he was absent, but a blaugrana source told AS the Camp Nou outfit had met all their responsibilities.
"Eric Abidal was paid in full under his contract and on time," the source said. “Barça have been up to date at all moments, paying all the instalments. A part came from the medical insurers, although this part was very small."
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http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1545474/barcelona-deny-eric-abidal-not-paid-claims?cc=5739
 

Ish

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Hhmmm...takes a big twist. I can't see why Abidal would lie - especially if the club stood by him through the rough times.

The Barca official could be twisting the "paid in full under his contract" bit easily though. His contract might just have stated that he wouldn't get paid for a prolonged absence that isn't football related.

On a side - does anyone know if we're still paying Fletcherinho before we go off on a tangent and look like fools?
 

FCBarca

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Yeah, it was taken out of context. But Rosell is nevertheless a douche and Eric should've retired a Barcelona player.
 

Reapersoul20

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Most employees wouldn't be paid during an absence of that length for illness, right ?
 

JazzG

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FCBarca

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Another example of why I love this player/person and how much Rosell et al eroded the core values of the club in failing to extend him. Just days after signing a contract extension with Monaco, he forced a move abroad to Olympiakos when the club refused to honor their pre-agreement with his friend Victor Valdeś
 

KM

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FCBarca said:
Another example of why I love this player/person and how much Rosell et al eroded the core values of the club in failing to extend him. Just days after signing a contract extension with Monaco, he forced a move abroad to Olympiakos when the club refused to honor their pre-agreement with his friend Victor Valdeś
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Is this thing verified or what?
 

awop

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Good on her, he's an idiot. She's still in big trouble if the investigation confirms she paid those guys to beat up Hamraoui.
 

Lord SInister

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awop said:
Good on her, he's an idiot. She's still in big trouble if the investigation confirms she paid those guys to beat up Hamraoui.
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Wasn't it said, it was some player who paid to assualt their teammates or that is a different note.



On another note, being shamelessly shallow and judgemental, how can anyone have a gorgeous women as Hayet as wife, and still go for a truck driver looking footballer.
 

arthurka

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Lord SInister said:
Wasn't it said, it was some player who paid to assualt their teammates or that is a different note.



On another note, being shamelessly shallow and judgemental, how can anyone have a gorgeous women as Hayet as wife, and still go for a truck driver looking footballer.
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She is apparently very skilled with balls.
 

kouroux

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Lord SInister said:
Wasn't it said, it was some player who paid to assualt their teammates or that is a different note.



On another note, being shamelessly shallow and judgemental, how can anyone have a gorgeous women as Hayet as wife, and still go for a truck driver looking footballer.
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We only know about Hayet's looks, not how she is in everyday's life :angel:
 

Tom Cato

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Lord SInister said:
Wasn't it said, it was some player who paid to assualt their teammates or that is a different note.



On another note, being shamelessly shallow and judgemental, how can anyone have a gorgeous women as Hayet as wife, and still go for a truck driver looking footballer.
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The novelty of a persons body wears off eventually and its either replaced with love and respect or the relationship ends.

So to answer that question: Don't be someone who thinks like that.
 
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