EA Sports on March 2 became the latest company to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, while calling for peace. But it wasn't just words from the makers of the popular FIFA 22 video game.
The company took the step of removing the Russian national football team and all Russian clubs from FIFA 22.
"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," read the statement.
The move follows the decision by FIFA and UEFA to ban Russia's national team and clubs from their competitions. UEFA also stripped Saint Petersburg of the 2022 UEFA Champions League final, moving it to the Stade de France, north of Paris.
A statement from EA SPORTS FIFA: pic.twitter.com/v3pZvpblgS
— EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) March 2, 2022
Russian companies like Gazprom and Aeroflot have seen deals terminated and business ties severed, and Russian oligarchs have also come under scrutiny as a target for sanctions. One of them, Roman Abramovich, is selling Chelsea FC in a surprise decision.
MORE: Details on FIFA's decision to ban Russia from competitions
FIFA 22 to remove Russian clubs & national team
The removal of the Russian national football team and all Russian clubs will happen across various platforms: FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile and FIFA Online.
This is the first time the game has seen the removal of an entire country from the game, and it will also eliminate the three domestic Russian clubs in the game:
- CSKA Moscow
- Lokomotiv Moscow
- Spartak Moscow
There was no mention in the statement about whether Russian players based with clubs outside the country would also be impacted.
When is FIFA 22 making the update?
There was no formal timeline provided by EA Sports for the changes. The company regularly updates its game and it's likely it could occur in a mandatory update for all accounts.
The statement indicated that "EA Sports has initiated processes" to remove the teams, noting that it is "also actively evaluating related changes to other areas of our games."
It also made an appeal to gamers' patience during the process.
"We will keep our communities up to date on any actions taken, and thank players for their patience as we work through these updates."
Russia & Russian club FIFA 22 ratings
Here's a rundown of the teams set to be removed from FIFA 22 based on the decision by EA Sports, with their FIFA 22 ratings.
CSKA Moscow
- Team Rating: 74
- Best Player: Mario Fernandez (81)
- Attack: 73
- Midfield: 72
- Defense: 74
Lokomotiv Moscow
- Team Rating: 73
- Best Player: Marceij Rybus (75)
- Attack: 75
- Midfield: 72
- Defense: 74
Spartak Moscow
- Team Rating: 73
- Best Player: Quincy Promes (79)
- Attack: 75
- Midfield: 73
- Defense: 72
Russia National Team
- Team Rating: 75
- Best Player: Mario Fernandes (81)
- Attack: 76
- Midfield: 76
- Defense: 73