IRNA - VFL Bochum has no plans to release Vahid Hashemian from his contract during the Bundesliga winter break as a result of the Iranian player's criticism of Bochum coach Marcel Koller, club spokesman Christian Gruber told IRNA via phone on Saturday.
"There are no talks whatsoever about releasing the player. Vahid has yet to find his place within the team because he was frequently injured," the team official said.
Gruber lambasted also the German daily Bild newspaper for "hyping" its interview with Hashemian in which the soft-spoken Iranian international lamented about his lack of playing time.
On Thursday, Hashemian was kicked off the team roster and barred from taking part following his stinging criticism of Koller.
"No one can do whatever he pleases to do.I told the team weeks ago that I would thoroughly listen to what they say in their interviews. We can only survive together in this situation," added Koller ahead of his team's crucial home encounter against FC Cologne.
The Bochum trainer expressed "complete surprise" over Hashemian's critical remarks.
"Although I respect the decision of our coach, I am still rather upset about it," said Hashemian who has been held scoreless only in eight Bundesliga games this season.
He added his transfer from Hanover 96 before the season was aimed at "helping the club (Bochum)."
Hashemian urged Koller to have "absolute faith" in him.
Bochum is currently ranked 17th almost halfway into the 2008/9 Bundesliga season.
The 31-year-old Iranian national team forward whose earlier Bundesliga stops included also Bayern Munich and Hamburger SV , returned to Bochum from Hanover 96 by signing a two-year contract with an option for an additional season.
Hashemian had already played for Bochum from 2001 until 2004.