Germany star Lukas Podolski sparks animal rights row with World Cup ad campaign #BringBackOurGirls #Entertain9jar via @myentertain9jar

GERMANY's preparations for the World Cup have taken another hit after Arsenal star Lukas Podolski became embroiled in an animal rights row.

The ad campaign featuring Lukas Podolski is the latest controversy to hit Joachim Low's squad[EPA/REUTERS/CEN]

The 28-year-old striker has teamed up with the squad's sponsors Adidas for a controversial advertising campaign.
Podolski, who moved to FA Cup winners Arsenal in 2012, is shown clutching a bloody cow's heart alongside the slogan: 'During the World Cup, I will give my heart to the cause.'
However, animal rights activists have reacted with fury to the stunt.
A spokesman for international animal welfare charity Four Paws said: "He says he'd give his heart but it wasn't his heart was it.
"It was the heart of an innocent animal. If this was supposed to be some sort of PR stunt, then it misses the point.
"It's bad enough that animals are slaughtered for food but to parade a heart, dripping blood and gore, is hardly a good way to advertise a sporting goods firm."
Poland-born star Podolski has brushed off controversy, which was sparked after he posted the image on his Instagram page.
He said: "I don't find it disgusting. It just shows my promise to give my heart in our bid to win the World Cup. I and the rest of the team will give it all for Germany."

I don't find it disgusting. It just shows my promise to give my heart in our bid to win the World Cup. I and the rest of the team will give it all for Germany

Lukas Podolski

The row is the latest set-back to blight the German national side as they prepare for the World Cup in Brazil, which begins in just nine days time.
Defender Kevin Grosskreutz caused a scandal prior to the squad's training camp in Italy, after he urinated in the foyer of a Berlin hotel following the German Cup final.
Coach Joachim Low has also been hit with a six-month driving ban after collecting 18 points on his licence, earning him an automatic suspension.
A PR stunt for German car firm Mercedes-Benz also made headlines for the wrong reasons, as a 63-year-old man was left seriously injured after being hit by a car driven by professional racer Pascal Wehrlein with Germany centre-back Benedikt Hoewedes as his passenger.
Team manager Oliver Bierhoff said Hoewedes and attacking midfielder Julian Draxler, who witnessed the crash, had needed treatment from the team’s psychologist.
Germany, semi-finalists in 2010, begin their World Cup campaign on June 16 against Portugal, before facing Ghana and the USA.