Bastian Schweinsteiger is considering taking legal action against a Hong Kong company making Nazi dolls that bear a striking resemblance to him.
The Manchester United midfielder's management company put the matter into the hands of their German-based lawyers earlier this week.
The dolls, named 'World War II Army Supply Duty - Bastian', are made in China by Dragon in Dream.
The company told German paper Bild any resemblance was "purely coincidental".
"We don't sell any figures which resemble footballers. It is a complete coincidence that the figure 'Bastian' looks like Schweinsteiger," a spokesman added.
"We thought that all Germans look like that. Bastian is also a very common name in Germany."
The figurine comes in several outfits - including a version with a steel helmet, white winter jacket and woollen gloves, and another in a typical army uniform, complete with the "Wehrmachtsadler" insignia, an eagle with a swastika above the right breast pocket.
The doll is on sale for about $120 (£80).
"This is a clear violation of Schweinsteiger's personality rights," a German media lawyer told Bild.
"Everyone has rights to their own image. To see him as a swastika-bearing Wehrmacht soldier also constitutes a gross defamation and insult," Ulrich Amelung said.
German international midfielder Schweinsteiger, 31, joined United on a three-year deal in July, moving from Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich for a reported £14.4m.
He has made 15 appearances for Louis van Gaal's side so far this season, providing one assist.
Africanjam
is website that was launched in December
2013 (with another domain) and on April 2014 the new domain Africanjam(dot)com
came into use. It was found by John Kapela who is currently in Dar es Salaam
Tanzania. This site provides news from Africa and all over the world in
Politics, Sports and Entertainment. We also provide Technology tips, some
Amazing Facts as well as Football updates from all over the world. Visit this
site everyday for being in touch with everything happening in Africa and the
whole world.
