Abidal allowed to leave hospital

Barcelona's French defender Eric Abidal was on Monday given the green light by doctors to leave hospital following his liver transplant last month. The France international defender, 32, underwent the operation on 10 April just over a year after having a tumour removed from his liver in March 2011. "Given the particular nature of this recuperation process, Abidal should have to undergo regular hospital checks," the club said in a statement. Abidal's cousin donated part of his liver in a rare procedure that allows the waiting time to be reduced for the patient. At the request of Abidal's family, Barcelona have disclosed no medical information since the operation, which took place at the Clinic de Barcelona hospital.