Bastian Schweinsteiger to Sue over Nazi War Soldier Doll Called 'Bastian'

Manchester United and Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger is set to sue a Chinese toymaker that is marketing Nazi soldier dolls bearing his name and likeness.

Hong Kong-based company DiD has produced the "Bastian" range of model soldiers, which bear a striking resemblance to Schweinsteiger "dressed as a Wehrmacht veteran complete with the swastika-bearing eagle on his uniform," per Allan Hall of the Evening Standard.

BreatheSport provides an image of the doll:

"

Outrage in Germany as Chinese toy manufacturer produces Nazi doll called 'Bastian' that looks like Schweinsteiger... pic.twitter.com/CCm4yWkBIg

— BreatheSport (@BreatheSport) October 22, 2015"

Per German newspaper Bild (h/t Hall), Schweinsteiger has begun legal proceedings against the company to halt the sale of the soldiers, which are reportedly marketed at £65 each.

DiD representative Patrick Chan brushed off the accusation as "purely coincidental," but media lawyer Ulrich Amelung had a somewhat different view, per Hall: "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."

The 31-year-old Schweinsteiger is, rightly, a legend in his native Germany for playing a key role in their 2014 World Cup-winning campaign.

Ian MacNicol/Getty Images

He was installed as captain of the national team following Philipp Lahm's international retirement, and before his summer move to Manchester United, Schweinsteiger spent 17 years at Bayern Munich, where he won eight Bundesliga titles and a Champions League.

He has played a consistent role in the early stages of his United career under manager Louis van Gaal, making nine Premier League appearances and three in the Champions League, per WhoScored.com. 

Schweinsteiger will have his first experience of a Manchester derby this Sunday, when the Red Devils meet Manchester City at Old Trafford.