Ba humbug! Angry Hoffenheim striker slams German club for scuppering 'dream' move to West Ham

06 January 2011 15:26
Demba Ba has moved to set the record straight about why he has not returned to training with Hoffenheim after Christmas, and has criticised his club for blocking a reported transfer to West Ham.[LNB]All I want is the truth: Demba Ba has accused Hoffenheim of not being honest with him[LNB]The Senegalese striker has refused to join his team-mates on their winter training camp after apparently learning that a bid from the Barclays Premier League club had been rejected.[LNB]Hoffenheim's general manager Ernst Tanner has threatened to punish Ba by terminating his contract and preventing him from playing for any other club, but the 25-year-old feels he is being treated unfairly.[LNB]He wrote on his official website: 'I know what I owe to TSG 1899 (Hoffenheim). They brought me to Germany and they believed in my potential. They helped me improve and be a good player in the Bundesliga. For all of that, I thank them.[LNB]'I also know that, with my team-mates and the support of our fans, I had the chance to give back a lot to my club by scoring a lot of goals and being a major player in the good performance of the team.[LNB]'Today I am one of the oldest players in the team and, due to my seniority, I refuse to be treated like a mercenary or a capricious guy.[LNB]'I want to say that I regret this situation, and I suffer from it. The club gave me a green light to leave under certain conditions, which have been met; I hope that the promises made will be fulfilled.[LNB]'I just want to ask my club to be honest and to respect the green light that I was given.'[LNB]Ba was equally intent on joining Bundesliga rivals Stuttgart in 2009, but was told by Hoffenheim that he must respect his contract, which expires in 2013.[LNB]Hoffenheim are taking the same stance again now, much to Ba's disappointment.[LNB]He is accusing them of scuppering his dream of playing in England.[LNB] Gone: Previous coach Ralf Rangnick [LNB]'A club made an offer to Hoffenheim. From there, I had a talk with our sporting director to discuss my desire to take one more step in my career and join the Premier League,' he explained.[LNB]'Recently, I dream to have a new challenge, and a club offered me the opportunity to achieve my dream.[LNB]'The sudden departure of the coach (Ralf Rangnick), who brought me to the Bundesliga and helped me reach my current level, have increased my desire to try something else.[LNB]'I could not refuse this proposal - from the moment, of course, that my club gets what they deserve.[LNB]'Both clubs have negotiated and an offer arrived in Hoffenheim's office. From there, all parties were expected to agree on the transfer.[LNB]'However, for some obscure reason, Hoffenheim have suddenly decided otherwise.'[LNB] Chemist horrified to find his pioneering work with psychedelic drugs turned into deadly 'legal highs'I'm sorry: Hammered Grant apologises to fans as chiefs consider his futureSidwell's West Ham move collapses... leaving Wolves to pick up the piecesWest Ham set to axe Grant as Premier League bosses fear for the futureSpurs appoint PR guru Lee in fight with West Ham to for Olympic stadiumNewcastle 5 West Ham 0: Best leaves hammered Grant fighting for survivalAll the latest West Ham news, features and opinion[LNB]  Explore more:Places: United Kingdom, Germany

Source: Daily_Mail