Schweinsteiger sues over Nazi figurine lookalike
German football team captain is taking legal action against Hong Kong-based newspaper
PHOTO: AFP
Bastian Schweinsteiger, the German national captain, is taking legal action against a Hong Kong-based company for making Nazi figurines that bear a clear resemblance to him.
A member of Schweinsteiger's management team confirmed the legal action to SID, the sports subsidiary of AFP on Thursday, after a report in the Bild newspaper.
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The company did produced a Nazi-uniform-clad figurine with a face similar to Schweinsteiger's and which is named "Bastian".
Contacted by Bild, a company employee Patrick Chan denied selling any figurines based on a footballer, and said it was purely coincidental that the Nazi doll resembled Schweinsteiger.
The 30-centimetre tall figurine was "based on the typical German", he said. "We thought that all Germans look like that."
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The figurine, marketed as "WWII Army Supply Duty", comes with several apparels -- 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.
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Schweinsteiger was named captain of the German team last year after Philipp Lahm's international retirement.
The Manchester United midfielder was a key member of the squad that won the World Cup in 2014.
A member of Schweinsteiger's management team confirmed the legal action to SID, the sports subsidiary of AFP on Thursday, after a report in the Bild newspaper.
Germany football boss Loew donates prize to refugees
The company did produced a Nazi-uniform-clad figurine with a face similar to Schweinsteiger's and which is named "Bastian".
Contacted by Bild, a company employee Patrick Chan denied selling any figurines based on a footballer, and said it was purely coincidental that the Nazi doll resembled Schweinsteiger.
The 30-centimetre tall figurine was "based on the typical German", he said. "We thought that all Germans look like that."
Germany great Mueller suffering from Alzheimers: Bayern
The figurine, marketed as "WWII Army Supply Duty", comes with several apparels -- 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.
Euro 2016 qualifiers: Germany go top, but want to improve for Scots
Schweinsteiger was named captain of the German team last year after Philipp Lahm's international retirement.
The Manchester United midfielder was a key member of the squad that won the World Cup in 2014.