Bundesliga newboys Hoffenheim give Nigerian Beijing green light

July 20, 2008

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Bundesliga newboys Hoffenheim on Sunday said that their Nigerian striker Chinedu Obasi will be allowed to take part in the Beijing Olympics.

“The pressure exercised by the player and his family in Nigeria took on such proportions over the last few days that we could no longer ignore the question,” said Jan Schindelmeiser, the Hoffenheim general manager.

But Hoffenheim, who will play in the German top flight for the first time this season, said they will impose conditions on their 22-year-old striker whose trip to China will rule him out of the start of the new league season.

One of those will see him obliged to return to Germany the day after Nigeria's last game in the Olympics competition.

Obasi scored 12 goals in 27 matches in the German second division last season.

Several German clubs, including Werder Bremen, Schalke 04 and Hertha Berlin, are refusing to free their players for the Olympics because the Bundesliga season gets underway on August 15.

Werder Bremen, who are refusing to free Brazilian Diego, have been assured of the backing of the German football federation (DFB).

If Diego, 23, has accepted Werder Bremen's decision, compatriot Rafinha, 22, has threatened not to return to training with his club Schalke 04.

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