FIFA 22: Diego Maradona removed as EA Sports release statement

EA Sports confirmed the news in a statement on Wednesday

EA Sports have confirmed that they have removed footballing legend Diego Maradona from FIFA 22’s Ultimate Team (FUT) game mode.

Maradona, who passed away at the age of 60 last year, had featured in the game mode as an Icon and was had one of the highest player ratings on the game.

The Argentine had appeared on the game since 2018 but now following a third party legal dispute, EA Sports have been forced to remove him from the game with immediate effect.

EA Sports statement on Maradona

In a statement from EA Sports directed to The Mirror, they said: ” Due to a third party legal dispute, we must suspend Diego Maradona from appearing in FIFA Ultimate Team Packs, future FUT content and the Soccer Aid World XI in EA SPORTS FIFA 22.

“As such, Diego Maradona ICON Items will no longer be made available in Packs, SBCs and FUT Draft.

“We have always included Maradona’s likeness and image under valid license agreements, first with Mr. Maradona himself and later with the company entitled to license Maradona’s image rights worldwide.

“We share our fans’ disappointment and hope to bring one of football’s greatest icons back in the game at some point in the future.”

EA Sports has confirmed to @MirrorFootball that Diego Maradona has been removed from #FIFA22. ❌

Here's the full story, and a statement from EA Sports explaining why.https://t.co/tWikXbvOJt

— Nathan Bliss (@BlissyGames) March 22, 2022

How will this affect FIFA 22 players who already have Maradona cards?

https://twitter.com/FIFA22_INFO/status/1506375839797108751