.jpg?q=50&fit=contain&w=1140&h=&dpr=1.5)
According to a reputable source within the FIFA 22 Ultimate Team community, EA Sports is removing an Argentinian legend's Icon items from the game, making it impossible to obtain his likeness from any purchasable packs. Rated as one of the best center-midfield attackers in FUT, his suspension is a controversial decision that has soccer fans talking.Diego Maradona, one of the greatest players in soccer - along with the likes of Pele and Zidane - will no longer be available in FIFA 22 due to a third-party legal dispute. Following his passing in 2020, Maradona's rights have become an ongoing legal battle that puts his involvement in future FIFA games at risk.
Maradona's FIFA 22 Removal Explained
FutSheriff broke the news on March 19, confirming Maradona's removal from all FUT packs, Squad Building Challenges, and Drafts from FIFA 22. As of this writing, the decision made by EA is regarded as a suspension, leading to speculation on how long this decision will hold up. When EA signed a deal to use Maradona's likeness in its games, the belief was that his rights were owned by a friend and former manager, Stefano Ceci. Unfortunately, Ceci could not confirm his legal powers, leaving the deal up in the air as to whether he would continue to appear in current and future FIFA installments.
The Argentine court has since confirmed that the trademark owner for Maradona’s legal rights is Sattvica, the company of Matías Morla, who served as his lawyer. According to Argentinian sources, Morla gained control of the Maradona brand last August. This would imply that the deal signed between EA Sports and Stefano Ceci is now null and void, leading to the decision to suspend his likeness from the game. Regardless of the decision, players who currently hold any Maradona collection items will not lose them from their collections, but it's unknown whether they will be allowed to continue using him in FIFA 22 Ultimate Team.
Without knowing how long the legal dispute will last, it's up in the air whether Maradona will appear in FIFA 23 or any other soccer-related games. Maradona's passing came back in November 2020, when the legend suffered a heart attack just two weeks after being released from hospital following successful brain surgery. While EA was successful in its $11 million loot box fine being overturned, this legal dispute takes any power the company may have had out of its hands, as a new deal will have to be signed with the correct owner of Maradona's rights, Matías Morla. When, or if, that happens remains to be determined.
FIFA 22 is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.