How long before Football Manager becomes so mainstream that....

....this happens?

Manuel Noriega, the former dictator of Panama, is suing Call of Duty's video games publisher.

The ex-military ruler is seeking lost profits and damages after a character based on him featured in Activision's 2012 title Black Ops II. The 80-year-old is currently serving a jail sentence in Panama for crimes committed during his time in power, including the murder of critics.

One lawyer said this was the latest in a growing trend of such lawsuits.

"In the US, individuals have what's called the right to publicity, which gives them control over how their person is depicted in commerce including video games," explained Jas Purewal, an interactive entertainment lawyer.

"There's also been a very well-known action by a whole series of college athletes against Electronic Arts, and the American band No Doubt took action against Activision over this issue among other cases. It all focuses upon the American legal ability for an individual to be only depicted with their permission, which in practice means payment of a fee. But Noriega isn't a US citizen or even a resident. This means that his legal claim becomes questionable, because it's unclear on what legal basis he can actually bring a case against Activision."

'Enemy of the state'

In Activision's video game, Noriega initially helps the CIA capture a Nicaraguan terrorist, but later turns on the Americans and is hunted himself. In reality, Noriega did work as a CIA informant before the agency broke ties with him. After the US became concerned about his violent rule, President George Bush ordered the invasion of Panama in 1989, which resulted in his capture.....

Remainder at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-28326670

Ok, tongue in cheek question because this story deals mainly with commercial rights, but am thinking more of the kind of defamation fallout that explains why the Suarez bad boy can't be bought in to in-game? I'd love to see how I'd handle a real life Suarez, best player by far superstar on your team but that much a non-PC liability that needs you to ask the question of whether he's worth keeping or worth cashing in on, or maybe just as importantly buying, as per the biggest transfer in fee and news story this summer so far. Or for the English press anyway.

Is there any chance of these type events being bought in to the game as newgens or regens appear later down in the seasons? Off field or on field way out there events that happen now and again in the real world, and how you can deal with it behind scenes and in press conferences and news stories? It's missing from the game I think now. Especially as real world is 24hr news feeds of football in today's world.

There are problem kids in the game, but I'm not sure enough?

Jens Mustermann says hi.