SINSHEIM, Germany (AP) — Hoffenheim has dropped former Germany goalkeeper Tim Wiese — for his own protection.
The relegation-threatened Bundesliga club said Thursday that it had signed Brazilian goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes on loan from Tottenham until the end of the season in the 31-year-old Wiese's place.
"In Gomes we're getting a goalkeeper with a huge amount experience at the highest level nationally as well as internationally," Hoffenheim manager Andreas Mueller said. "He will play his part in ensuring Hoffenheim stays in the Bundesliga. I am certain of that."
Gomes, who is also 31, has played three games for Brazil, but was second choice behind American goalkeeper Brad Friedel and France international Hugo Lloris at Tottenham.
Mueller said that Wiese was dropped because of the "inhumane" pressure he faced before each game not to make a mistake.
"He can't do it. That's why we have act according to our responsibilities," Mueller said in comments reported by German news agency dpa. "Tim doesn't have a chance in the current situation. No matter what he does, he doesn't have an opportunity to be assessed sensibly."
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