'FIFA 22,' 'NHL 22' Update: EA Announces Removal of Russian Teams from the Games

FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile, and FIFA Online will remove the Russian National team from its roster. NHL 22 followed suit shortly thereafter.

EA made the announcement this afternoon, just days after the real-life FIFA and UEFA governing bodies said Russia's national side and players would be banned until further notice.

The bans were made as a way of displaying solidarity with Ukraine and calling for world peace.

FIFA 22 and NHL 22 Removing Russian Teams

EA tweeted: "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 products including: FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile and FIFA Online. We're also actively evaluating related changes to other areas of our games."

The video game company stated that it will continue to update the communities on this matter and to give players and fans up-to-date information as this event progresses. This move comes as a response to the political aggression and invasion brought by Russia to Ukraine.

The agreed decision both came from the international federations of football and hockey. Following the removal of Russian teams in FIFA 22, NHL also announced that they will suspend the teams from the game. However, this does not just apply to Russia. The suspension is also imposed on the Belarusian teams. The removal of Belarusian team is also in efforts to stand for peace and the people of Ukraine.

This is also likely in connection with the efforts of Belarus to support Russia. Gamespot reported that Belarus is assisting Russia in its invasion, and Russia's basketball teams have been barred from participating in international competitions.

The tweet reads, "Following the IIHF's suspension of all Russian and Belarusian national and club teams from IIHF competitions, we will be removing these teams from NHL 22 within the coming weeks."

Sanctions Imposed to Russia

According to Euro Gamer, Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov is calling for game development companies and esports platforms to impose sanctions on Russian and Belarusian teams. He also urged Sony and Microsoft to participate.

Aside from FIFA and the National Hockey League, numerous businesses have expressed their dismay with the ongoing invasion of Russia to Ukraine.

On February 25, President Biden expressed that he will impose sanctions on Russia for waging conflict and chaos with its neighboring country.

Just recently, the Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine wrote to Apple CEO Tim Cook addressing a plea to put a stop to selling its products in Russia. Included in that letter is the plea to remove RT and Sputnik News that are Russian governed news outlets in the rest of the world.

In response to the letter, the Apple CEO willingly obliged by showing its support with the people of Ukraine. Additionally, Apple is also conducting fundraising in helping Ukrainian people.

Aside from Apple, Dell also stated that it stopped their operations in Russia. Some companies from other industries had similar thoughts. Automobile companies such as GM Motors, Volvo, and Ford also decided to stop their operations in the country.