Bastian Schweinsteiger has been accused of racism by Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae after describing the country's style of football as "African" and "wild" during World Cup coverage.
The former Germany, Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder made the controversial remarks while working as a commentator for ARD before Germany's 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast last week.
Schweinsteiger, 41, had been asked about Ivory Coast's approach ahead of the Group E clash when he suggested Germany would have to deal with an unpredictable opponent.
"A bit African football, a bit unorthodox, a bit wild, a bit perhaps also not so conditioned by tactics," he said.
"We must be prepared for it to be unpredictable."
The comments sparked anger and have continued to overshadow Ivory Coast's impressive World Cup campaign.
Fae's side secured their place in the knockout stages for the first time in the country's history on Thursday after beating Curacao 2-0.
Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe scored both goals to seal second place in Group E and cap a major night for Ivorian football.
Bastian Schweinsteiger has been accused of making 'racist' comments by Ivory Coast manager Emerse Fae after describing the country's style of football as "African" and "wild" during World Cup coverage
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Bastian Schweinsteiger has been working as a pundit at this summer's World Cup
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But after the match, Fae was asked about Schweinsteiger's remarks and made clear he had been deeply disappointed by the German's choice of words.
"I think it's sad," Fae said.
"Schweinsteiger was a very good player. I have always loved him as a midfielder and the way he understood football.
"When I heard his comments, I was disappointed in the man. It is odd he would speak that way.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Every team to have won the World Cup | GETTY/GB NEWS"We could call it racist, if we were calling a spade a spade."
Fae insisted Ivory Coast's displays at the World Cup had shown African football should not be reduced to lazy stereotypes about physicality or chaos.
"I don't agree with him, but I have no other solution other than to work with things as they are," he added.
"All I can show is that on the pitch African teams are not just physical, we are technical and tactical.
"I can only hope it is a clumsy statement, rather than something going on in his mind. If that's what he thinks, he is free to do so."
Fae also suggested Schweinsteiger may have been attempting to generate attention as a pundit by making remarks that would cause a reaction.
The row has already caused major debate in Germany, with Jurgen Klopp refusing to be dragged into the controversy when he was asked about it during an interview.
The former Liverpool manager, who is also working as a pundit at the World Cup, became visibly irritated when questioned by a journalist.
Ivory Coast have been in sensational form at the World Cup
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"And now you want to carry on this subject," Klopp said.
"No, no - I have no chance to answer this question.
"Everybody likes it, so you bring me into this situation. It's not my job that everybody likes it but it is a serious subject and I don't even know what is appropriate to say.
"For African people it's one thing, for other people it's another thing, and I'm not here.
"Thank God I thought nobody asked me about that but you found a moment and surprisingly you are German. That surprised me so much."
Meanwhile, Germany narrowly beat Ivory Coast but were stunned 2-1 by Ecuador on Thursday night, raising fresh questions about their form heading into the knockout stages.