Barcelona have moved to deny reports that the club's former president, Sandro Rosell, illegally bought a liver for former defender, Eric Abidal.
The former French international had a transplant in 2008 after a tumour was discovered in his liver.
It was claimed at the time that the liver was donated by his cousin.
Reports in Spain claim Rosell, who was arrested last year for money-laundering, bought the organ illegally on the black market.
In a statement, Barcelona strenuously deny the claims, adding "the club are saddened by the lack of rigor in the spreading of such information about such a sensitive issue."
