Hoffenheim refuse to release Senegal's Demba Ba

Posted Monday, January 10, 2011 by BBC.com

Hoffenheim have told want-away striker Demba Ba to forget about a transfer during the January window.

Hoffenheim refuse to release Senegal's Demba Ba The Bundesliga outfit's general manager Ernst Tanner also warned the Senegal international he can expect to spend the next six months without a club.

Ba, 25, refused to travel with Hoffenheim to their winter training camp in Spain amid interest from Premier League strugglers West Ham.

Tanner told his club's website: "I have told him to expect legal action."

Ba suggested in a statement on his own website that Hoffenheim had gone back on a promise to let him move to England.

"I regret the situation and I suffer from it," Ba stated.

"The club gave me a green light to leave under certain conditions which have been met. I hope that the promises will be fulfilled."

He added that he had spoken to Hoffenheim officials recently about his desire to play in England and that negotiations were opened with a club, believed to be West Ham.

"Both clubs have negotiated and an offer arrived in Hoffenheim's office," the striker continued.

"From there all parties were expected to agree on the transfer. However, for some obscure reason, Hoffenheim have suddenly decided otherwise."

The Senegalese has decided to show his anger at this decision by not training with the team.

Tanner said the player will now have to face the consequences of his actions, but he will not be allowed to leave.

"He will be fined and have his contract terminated, but he will not be able to play for any other club," Tanner added.

"We have already had this situation with Demba Ba wanting to get away at all costs.

"The way the player has tried for a second time to put pressure on his employers must be a first in the Bundesliga."

Ba said he would never play for Hoffenheim again after receiving an approach from Stuttgart in 2009.

However, he was ordered to fulfil his contract and eventually accepted that he would not be going anywhere.

"Demba's behaviour will certainly have consequences," Tanner warned. "This approach to his employers, but also to his team-mates cannot be tolerated."

Ba, who has scored six goals this season, has also reportedly been attracting interest from West Ham's Premier League rivals Blackburn.