The Russian-Ukrainian conflict of war has devastated Europe and the rest of the world in the last few days. It has caused a heavy loss of life, damage to civilian infrastructure and the threat of a nuclear war has shocked the world. The Russian aggression against Ukraine has been condemned across the world by different countries and organizations like NATO, through heavy economic sanctions. In a sudden announcement, EA Sports has announced that it will remove Russian clubs from its products such as FIFA Mobile, FIFA 22, and FIFA Online. The announcement did not include the inevitable FIFA 23 title, which is yet to be released.
Earlier this week, UEFA had announced that the committee will not be conducting the Champions League finals in the Russian city of St. Petersburg, which has been shifted to Paris. FIFA has banned all Russian clubs from international football and Russia from the 2022 World Cup.
The games will now be banning all Russian clubs from being featured in the game. This will be an attempt to show solidarity and support to the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian forces. The move comes as a positive gesture towards the international community, which has been pushing for organizations to cripple the Russian invasion by heavy economic sanctions.
Russia-Ukraine war conflict has made an effect on sporting associations
Various organizations including the International Olympic Committee which has already banned Russians from competing, have suggested that Russian and Belarusian athletes should be banned from all organized international events.
UEFA has banned all Russian clubs from participating in the Champions League and its subsequent competitions. In an official statement by UEFA, it has been said that FIFA Council and the UEFA Executive Committee have envisaged the adoption of additional measures. FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice.
This has created a rift in the ongoing World Cup fixtures. Russia was due to face Poland in a World Cup play-off clash on the 24th of March, 2022. The Russian Women’s football team was supposed to take part in UEFA Euro 2022 event this summer, which will be staged in England.
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
EA’s statement on ukraine-russia conflict
Several teams, who had partnerships with Russian-based companies have ended their ties. The Russian Football Union had earlier released a statement which said “The Russian Football Union categorically disagrees with the decision of FIFA and UEFA to suspend all Russian teams. We reserve the right to challenge the decision of FIFA and UEFA in accordance with international sports law.”
Russia-Ukraine war conflict: Effects on ESports and gaming
The Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov have urged Sony, Microsoft, Xbox, Riot Games, EA, Ubisoft, and other gaming giants to cut off Russian gamers and ESports players, as an attempt to make the people of Russia speak out against their government’s invasion of Ukraine. Ubisoft and Wargaming made a statement, on how they are protecting their developers who are based in Ukraine.
Over the past few days, many game development companies have been cutting ties with Russia by suspending business and blocking accounts. Ukrainian digital marketplace DMarket, which sells digital gear for Counter-Strike GO, told Axios it was blocking Russian and Belarusian accounts and freezing those users’ assets. Esports organizations Blast eSports and Elisa sports have banned Russian teams immediately.
The Ukrainian government has urged companies and organizations to levy more sanctions on Russian entities. Companies across the world have been helping Ukraine in any way possible, and have been condemning Russia with sanctions and bans to bring the war to an end.
What are your thoughts on the announcement of EA Sports to remove the Russian National Team and its clubs from FIFA Mobile and other products? Let us know in the comments below!
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