It’s the first time EA has removed an entire country from a game
EA SPORTS has confirmed that Russian teams will be removed from FIFA 22 as the country’s invasion of Ukraine continues.
The company announced the news in a statement on Wednesday afternoon, and it is the latest development in Russia’s exclusion from the worlds of sport and football, with the country having been excluded by FIFA and UEFA from any upcoming tournaments at both a club and international level.
The statement reads: “EA Sports stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and like so many voices across the world of football calls for peace and an end to the invasion of Ukraine.
“In line with out partners at FIFA and UEFA, EA SPORTS has initiated processes to remove the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from EA SPORTS FIFA products including: FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile and FIFA Online. We’re also actively evaluating related changes to other areas of our games.
“We will keep our communities up to date on any actions taken, and thank players for their patience as we work through these updates.”
A statement from EA SPORTS FIFA: pic.twitter.com/v3pZvpblgS
— EA SPORTS FC (@EASPORTSFC) March 2, 2022
There are currently three Russian domestic clubs in FIFA 22. These are CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and Spartak Moscow.
The men’s national team also feature, but all four of these teams are to be removed from the game.
It remains to be seen what will happen to individual Russian players.
Whilst certain individuals have been removed from the game before following controversies, this is the first time that EA has taken the decision to remove an entire country and its teams from the game.
Related links:
- Roman Abramovich ‘has shares in company that helps build Russian tanks’
- Andriy Yarmolenko joins Mykolenko in calling out Russian players’ silence on war in Ukraine
- Artem Dzyuba breaks silence on Russian invasion of Ukraine
- FIFA and UEFA suspend all Russian teams from football
