EA Sports is following FIFA and UEFA’s lead in supporting Ukraine while also punishing Russia. The governing soccer bodies announced bans on the Russian national team and clubs earlier in the week. EA Sports has announced its plans to remove the national team and clubs from FIFA 22.
EA Sports Russian Teams Banned
A statement from EA SPORTS FIFA: pic.twitter.com/v3pZvpblgS
— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) March 2, 2022
EA Sports announces it will remove all Russian clubs and the national team from FIFA 22. pic.twitter.com/rvQHZm5p7R
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 2, 2022
In a statement, EA Sports announced the teams will be removed from FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile and FIFA Online. The Russian Premier League wasn't in FIFA 22 to being with, however CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and Spartak Moscow will be removed from the "Rest of World" selection.
FIFA wasn’t the only EA Sports game to see changes as NHL 22 is also removing the Russian and Belarusian teams.
Opinion Time
At the end of the day, I think the removal of Russian teams and symbolism is the correct move from FIFA, UEFA and EA Sports. The atrocities taking place in Ukraine are a disgrace and Vladimir Putin needs to be punished to the highest extent.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t have a small part of me that feels slightly bad for some of these Russian athletes and teams. Putin has doomed his country in every possible aspect, including the sports world.
Thousands of Russians have been arrested for protesting the war. Top Russian athletes would likely be arrested too for speaking out against Putin and his barbaric violence. This is pure speculation, but I’m willing to bet many players on these Russian clubs don’t agree with the war. They have been screwed over by Putin and are now being shunned from competition and now FIFA 22 because of it.
I firmly stand with Ukraine and the Russians who protest and oppose Putin.
