After months of rumours, it’s now official. EA SPORTS removes Diego Maradona from the FIFA games. What consequences does this have for FIFA 22?
Diego Armando Maradona is without question one of the greatest legends in football history. Accordingly, he was honoured with strong icon cards in FIFA games. After a legal dispute, these will now be removed from FIFA 22, as EA announced in-game.
In November 2021, eSport previously reported on a lawsuit in which law firm Sattvica made a copyright claim to Maradona’s images. EA signed contracts around Maradona’s likeness with Maradona’s friend and manager Stéfano Ceci, but according to the lawsuit, the latter allegedly did not have permission to do so.
Maradona icons no longer available in FIFA Ultimate Team
This complaint was recognised by judges in Argentina, almost four months later the consequences are being felt. EA announced via message in FIFA 22 that everything related to Maradona has been removed from the game:
“Due to a third-party lawsuit, we must remove Diego Maradona from FIFA Ultimate Team packs, the Ultimate Draft and the Soccer Aid World XI team. Diego Maradona’s ICON items are therefore no longer available in Packs, SBCs and the FUT Draft. The price range of these items has been fixed until further notice.”
The publisher expresses disappointment over this case and hopes to have “one of the greatest legends in football history back in the game in the future.” So players will no longer be able to get Maradona cards in FIFA Ultimate Team for the time being. However, those who own such a card will be able to keep it.