13 footballers have been removed from FIFA 16, as their inclusion could risk their eligibility for collegiate athletics, EA has announced on its website.
"Of the hundreds of players on these rosters, 13 are currently attending or likely to attend NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association)-sanctioned schools in the U.S. The NCAA recently informed EA SPORTS that these 13 student-athletes would be risking their eligibility for collegiate athletics by being included in FIFA 16," EA explained.
"We do not agree with this position. All rights were secured following standard protocol with national governing bodies and federations, and none of these NCAA student-athletes or potential student athletes were to be individually compensated by EA SPORTS for their inclusion in the game.
"We believe this decision denies these 13 athletes the opportunity to represent their countries in the game, but we have removed them from FIFA 16 to ensure there is no risk to their eligibility."
The players affected by this decision are:
- Kadeisha Buchanan, Canada
- Jessie Fleming, Canada
- Ashley Lawrence, Canada
- Janine Beckie, Canada
- Rebecca Quinn, Canada
- Sura Yekka, Canada
- Celia Jiménez, Spain
- Tanya Samarzich, Mexico
- Greta Espinoza, Mexico
- Christina Murillo, Mexico
- Amanda Perez, Mexico
- Emily Alvarado, Mexico
- Maria Sanchez, Mexico
EA added it would update fans should this situation be resolved.
FIFA 16 launches September 22nd.
