As the cultural and sporting backlash against Russia for the war in Ukraine intensify, Moscow has been dealt another blow, this time, by the gaming industry.

In the latest development to Western backlash against Russia for its acts of war, EA Sports, the video game company responsible for the FIFA series of games, announced the removal of the Russian national team, as well as Russian clubs from FIFA 22.

“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,” read the opening lines of the video game company’s statement.

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“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 including: FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile, and FIFA Online,” EA Sports stated.

“We’re also actively evaluating related changes to other areas of our games,” the company went on to say.

“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 statement concluded.

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EA Sports’ announcement follows days after FIFA and UEFA unequivocally banned Russian national football teams, both men’s and women’s, as well as all Russian clubs, from all competitions. The ban will stay in place “until further notice,” the apex bodies said in their statement.

Apart from football, several other sporting bodies announced the cancellation of events in Russia: FormulaOne called off the Russian Grand Prix for the 2022 season, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended a ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes. The International Ski Federation (FIS) has also cancelled all upcoming events in Russia, although Russians and Belarusians have been allowed to compete in the 2022 Winter Paralympics in Beijing as ‘neutral athletes‘.