Wissam Ben Yedder has been given a suspended sentence for sexual harassment and other offenses. This will most likely also affect his digital career in EA SPORTS FC.
Since the summer, former France international Wissam Ben Yedder has been without a club. It is now more unlikely than ever that he will ever play professional football again. The 34-year-old has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended, and a fine of €5,000 for sexual harassment and other offences. In addition, his driver’s license has been suspended for six months.
His misconduct also has consequences in EA SPORTS FC, but this is more likely to affect future installments. Because of his lack of a club, the striker is not represented in Football Ultimate Team (FUT) in the current title. The same applies to the career mode, in which he would at least have had the opportunity.
EA SPORTS has responded promptly in the past
Nevertheless, the developer adds some players who start the season without a new club in the game. For example, Memphis Depay, Joselu or Adrien Rabiot were available as free agents in the transfer market at the beginning of the manager career. Other prominent players such as Sergio Ramos or Joel Matip, who has since ended his career, were not included – nor was Ben Yedder.
The developer has not officially commented on the upcoming parts of the series. However, Ben Yedder’s inclusion is almost out of the question, at least in FC 26 or FC 27. In the past, EA SPORTS reacted promptly, even when there was no verdict yet. For example, Mason Greenwood was removed from FIFA 22 after his arrest. The Englishman was accused of attempted rape and assault, but in February 2023 the investigation was dropped. In EA SPORTS FC 24, the striker finally made his comeback, virtually.
Whether Ben Yedder will celebrate one after his sentence is a different matter – but it is also rather unlikely. In sporting terms, it would depend on how his career progressed. Then there is the more pressing question of how EA SPORTS views the offense and the severity of the sentence. For example, former Munich player Jerome Boateng was cautioned for assault. Nevertheless, he is featured in the game because he signed for Linz ASK.
