The day that Maradona beated Dolce and Gabanna's lawsuit

For its Fall 2016 Alta Moda collection, Dolce & Gabbana looked to a variety of Italian themes, from Catholicism to football, and now it is being sued. Argentinean football player-turned-manager Diego Maradona has filed suit against Dolce & Gabbana, alleging that the famous Italian design house has exploited his likeness by recreating his S.S.C. Napoli football club jersey, complete with his name and number, and including it in the couture collection.

The design, which D&G unveiled on location in Naples in July 2016, was initially dubbed a "splendid gift of affection toward Naples" by Maradona. Since then, he's altered his tune and chosen to pursue legal action. In a statement released last week, Maradona stated, "I asked my attorneys to sue fashion designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana for compensation because they used my name without permission during a fashion show in Naples."

Maradona alleges that Dolce & Gabbana has taken undue use of his well-known name, which is protected by trademark law, in his suit, which was filed earlier this month in the Milan Court of First Instance. For his name, Maradona owns a number of European Union trademark registrations, including for clothes.

Furthermore, under Italian law, a well-known personal name can only be registered as a trademark – and/or utilized in a commercial capacity – by that person or with his or her approval. Dolce & Gabbana, according to Maradona, failed to seek his consent to use his name in the issue at hand.

"It is with great admiration and consideration for their work that I believe I must defend my interests against any speculative marketing strategy," Maradona said in a statement following the filing. I'm now peacefully awaiting the judgement of the Italian judges.”