Barcelona have released a statement after Eric Abidal claimed he wasn’t paid by the club during his illness.
The French defender missed 18 months at the Blaugrana after having a liver transplant, and the veteran told L’Equipe on Friday that he wasn’t paid during that period.
The Catalan side though, have claimed that not to be the case, stating on their official statement:
“- Both parties confirm that the Club duly complied with the contractual commitments stipulated in the player’s contract.
“- That in January of 2012, even though the player relapsed and underwent liver transplant surgery two months later, FC Barcelona offered Abidal a contract extension which included a substantial renewal bonus. The extension was signed.
“- That in March of 2012, when Abidal’s disease reappeared, the Club did not execute its option to unilaterally rescind the player’s contract per the stipulation in the contract that Abidal signed. By mutual agreement, FC Barcelona and the player suspended the contract until Abidal was medically cleared to play. During this period Abidal continued collecting his agreed upon monthly payments and, upon his return to the first team, he received the proportional sum of his contract.
– In June of 2013, when his contract was due to expire, the Club and Abidal liquidated the contract.”
