Friday 5 August 2016 07:15, UK
The world football players' union FIFpro has said Bastian Schweinsteiger is essentially being bullied at Manchester United.
Schweinsteiger appears to have been cut out of the first-team picture since Jose Mourinho's arrival as United manager in the summer, with reports that he has been training with the reserves.
The World Cup winner's name was conspicuous by its absence from United's squad for Wayne Rooney's testimonial against Everton at Old Trafford on Wednesday, a match in which Mourinho used 22 players.
FIFpro's Raymond Baard told Sky Sports News HQ if similar treatment happened in a different country then Mourinho could be sued.
He said: "Schweinsteiger has been put in a situation where Manchester United are trying to force him to move on and leave the club.
"He was hired for a particular job, let him train with the first team. It doesn't set a good example for other clubs around the world".
Another FIFpro member, Slovenian lawyer Dejan Stefanovic, went as far as to suggest Mourinho should be imprisoned, telling BBC World Service Sport: "It's clear bullying. In Slovenia, we would have indicted Mourinho and asked for the highest penalty - three years in prison.
"This is clearly meant to discourage Bastian. Mourinho is setting a bad example. I would take it to the ordinary court.
"In our case, the penal code is quite clear. If there is bullying and harassment, there's a prison sanction, a maximum of three years in prison.
"Schweinsteiger should turn to the Professional Footballers' Association and he should file a complaint and I would also seek penalty for Mourinho.
"All the players of the first team have to train with the coaches of the first team at the same place, at the same time as all other team-mates.
"That's something that should be applied to each and every club and should be written within FIFA regulations."
Manchester United have declined to comment.
