Wednesday, 3rd July, 2013
Monaco have been slammed as a club only interested in money by the agent of former Barcelona defender Eric Abidal, with the player reportedly not given a contract at the Ligue 1 new boys.
Agent David Venditelli had been hoping to conclude a deal with Monaco over a possible spell at his former club for Abidal, who was released at the end of his Barcelona contract this summer.
With several French clubs, including Nice, Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain, also on the Frenchman’s wish-list, Abidal was hopeful of securing a place at Monaco, thanks in part to their ambitious spending this summer.
However, Venditelli revealed there was no contract in the offing and blasted the principality club for their callous man-management.
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"I no longer have any news from Monaco", Venditelli was quoted by L’Equipe as saying. "The way they handled the case is disturbing, and was up to the limit of being disrespectful."
Abidal’s release means he is a free agent, while his career has seen a remarkable recovery from two surgeries for a liver tumour, after which he returned to Barcelona and also lifted a European crown.
He had been offered an ambassadorial role at Barcelona but chose to continue his playing career, health permitting.
And Venditelli felt this was proof that Abidal was still capable of producing the goods, adding: "Monaco had the opportunity to show that they were not just a club interested in money by taking a free player. They did not do so.
"I respect their sporting choice of not going for Eric Abidal. What I do not accept is the way people are treated."
Abidal’s club career has seen him turn out for Monaco previously, during a two-year spell before being transferred to Lille in 2002, and then on to Lyon in 2004, eventually reaching Barcelona’s doors in 2007.
Monaco’s loss could become Nice’s gain, though, as coach Claude Puel will be keen on a reunion with the player he coached at both Monaco and at Lille.
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