EA to remove Russian national team and all Russian clubs from FIFA 22 [updated]

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EA to remove Russian national team and all Russian clubs from FIFA 22 [updated]

By Sean Carey, 02 Mar 2022
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Update #2: Following the likes of CD Projekt, Bloober Team, and Microsoft, EA has now announced it too has stopped sales of its games and content in Russia and Belarus.

"We have made the decision to stop sales of our games and content, including virtual currency bundles, in Russia and Belarus while this conflict continues," EA wrote in a statement on its website. "As a result, our games and content will no longer be available for purchase in our Russian region storefront on Origin or the EA app, including through in-game stores. We are also working with our platform partners to remove our titles from their stores and stop the sale of new in-game content in the region."

EA says it "continues to be shocked at the conflict that is unfolding in Ukraine, and join so many voices around the world in calling for peace and an end to the invasion." The publisher also says it "stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine."

Update: The International Ice Hockey Federation recently suspended all Russian and Belarusian national and club teams from its competitions. Following the IIHF's move, EA says it will also be removing these teams from NHL 22.

Original Story: EA has announced it will remove the Russian national football team and all Russian clubs from FIFA 22 and other EA Sports FIFA products.

In a statement posted on Twitter, the EA Sports FIFA account said, "EA 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."

EA goes on to say it has "initiated processes" to remove the Russian national team and "all Russian clubs" from FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile, and FIFA Online. EA says it is also "actively evaluating related changes to other areas" of its games.

The announcement comes days after real-life footballing bodies, FIFA and UEFA, banned Russian football clubs and the Russian national team from all competitions until further notice. The Russian men's team has been banned from playing in its upcoming World Cup play-off matches, while the women's national team has been banned from this summer's Euro 2022 competition. Spartak Moscow has also been kicked out from the Europa League, and this year's Champions League final has been moved from Saint Petersburg to the Stade de France in Paris.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, various developers and publishers within the games industry have offered their support by providing donations to charitable organisations in the country. However, Ukraine's deputy prime minister has recently asked for the industry to do more.
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Written by Sean Carey
Hey, I’m Sean! I joined both TrueAchievements and TrueTrophies as a staff writer in 2019. I’m a big fan of the Metal Gear Solid series and love a good narrative adventure. Most evenings you’ll find me failing to get a win in Call of Duty: Warzone.