Russian teams will be removed from FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile and FIFA Online; the video game developer says it is also "actively evaluating related changes to other areas of our games" following Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Wednesday 2 March 2022 18:49, UK
EA Sports has "initiated processes" to remove the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from its FIFA products.
The video game developer says it is also "actively evaluating related changes to other areas of our games" following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
A statement from EA Sports read: "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 our 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."
The move from EA Sports comes after FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia's national and club teams from all competitions until further notice.
UEFA also confirmed the Europa League last-16 tie between Spartak Moscow and RB Leipzig next month will not take place, with the German club automatically progressing to the quarter-finals.
Its deal with energy company Gazprom, which is majority-owned by the Russian state and is also a major sponsor of the Champions League, has been terminated.
England, Scotland and Wales, meanwhile, announced they will not play Russia in football matches at any level "for the foreseeable future", including any team recognised as the 'Football Union of Russia'.
The decision was made "out of solidarity with Ukraine and to wholeheartedly condemn the atrocities being committed by the Russian leadership", the England FA said in a statement.
Everton have suspended all commercial and sponsorship activities with Russian companies USM, Megafon and Yota with immediate effect in the wake of the country's invasion of Ukraine.
The Premier League club will remove all signage and messaging relating to USM, owned by billionaire Alisher Usmanov, around the club and the training ground. Megafon sponsor the club's women's shirts, which will now be rebranded.
The Toffees matchday programme will also be reprinted without any reference to Russian-backed sponsorship. Sky Sports News understands the entire rebranding move will cost the club around £500,000.
