Abidal released from hospital after tumor surgery

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has been released from hospital following surgery to remove a tumor in his liver.

The club announced on Thursday that Abidal had returned home the previous evening to continue his recovery.

Team doctors said his progress was "satisfactory'' and that there had been no complications. They also said the French international could return to performing physical exercise in four weeks.

Abidal underwent surgery on March 17 and received shows of support from many teams in the Spanish league during the last round of games over the weekend.