Manchester United midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger went after the Chinese manufacturer of 'Bastian' dolls for the toy's uncanny resemblance to him. Bastian, a war doll that depicts a Nazi in uniform is being sold by the Dragon in Dreams toy company, which is based in Hong Kong.
The German public was highly outraged and considered the doll's likeness to the football captain, who won the 2014 World Cup for Germany, a veritable insult.
Many expressed their displeasure over the issue quite openly. Included in this are "Filth" on TZ newspaper and "Scandal Doll Bastian" on Stern magazine. The fallout is quite understandable since Schweinsteiger is one of the most respected footballer in Germany in his generation. He won various German leagues and German Cup titles as well as the 2013 Champions League with Bayern Munich before he joined Manchester United.
Dragon in Dreams, on the other hand, also produced toy figures of Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill and civil-rights champion Martin Luther King. James Bond dolls as well as World War I toy soldiers are included in the company's roster.
The Bastian dolls portray Wehrmacht veterans with a swastika-bearing eagle design in their uniform. These controversial dolls are supposed to sell for £65 each in Europe.
Bild, a German publication, is cited to have indignantly said, "Our football hero Bastian Schweinsteiger as a Nazi soldier!"
Dragon in Dreams' spokesperson Patrick Chan attempted to explain the perceived similarity as completely unintentional. "We offer no figures based on the football. The resemblance is purely coincidental."
"The figure is based on a typical German. We believe most Germans look like this. Bastian is a common name in Germany."
However, according to media lawyer Ulrich Amelung, "This is a clear violation of the rights of Schweinsteiger."
"The portrayal of him wearing a swastika uniform is a clear case of defamation and insult."
