EA has claimed the ongoing row over footballer image rights is an attempt to draw FIFA 21 into a dispute between footballers, their agents and the players’ union – and has nothing to do with the game itself.
This week, football superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović claimed EA was using his name and face in FIFA 21 without his permission, and declared it was “time to investigate”.
In a tweet, the 39-year-old AC Milan striker wondered who had given EA permission to use his name and face for their billion dollar a year mega-franchise.
Ibrahimović pointed the finger at Federation Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnel (FIFPro), the global representative of professional football players, who he claimed to be unaware of. EA – and indeed PES developer Konami – license the use of thousands of footballers’ via FIFPro each year.
Somebody is making profit on my name and face without any agreement all these years.
Time to investigate— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) November 23, 2020
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Spurs star Gareth Bale joined Ibrahimović in questioning FIFPro.
.@Ibra_official Interesting… what is @FIFPro? 🤔 #TimeToInvestigate
— Gareth Bale (@GarethBale11) November 23, 2020
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Yesterday, EA issued a statement responding to Zlatan’s tweets, telling Eurogamer it had worked with FIFPro for years to secure the rights of player likenesses for the FIFA games.
Additionally, EA signed a partner deal with both Milan clubs back in July, which included the use of AC Milan’s kit, players and stadium. It’s a deal that was heavily publicised ahead of the launch of FIFA 21 earlier this year, and even included Ibrahimović in promotional images.
However, the dispute escalated yesterday after player agents threatened legal action against EA.
Ibrahimović’s agent, Mino Raiola, tweeted to say FIFPro and AC Milan “do not have players individual rights”, accusing EA Sports of knowing this – and insisting he had told the company “many times”.
FifPro and AC Milan do not have players individual rights as I’m sure you know and as we’ve told you many times @easports pic.twitter.com/dDT9LZ9Y5B
— RAIOLA (@MinoRaiola) November 24, 2020
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In another tweet, Raiola claimed EA Sports had “dodged” him on the issue of the rights of players for 10 years, then threatened legal action: “Maybe now you will reply, or only in court?”
@EASPORTS it is 10 years you are dodging me on the rights of players questions. Maybe now you will reply, or only in Court? @Ibra_official @GarethBale11 @footballforum01 @EASPORTSFIFA
— RAIOLA (@MinoRaiola) November 24, 2020
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It sounds like there are rumblings within the football world over player rights in video games. The Guardian reports “a number of high-profile players have instructed their representatives to look into whether they are entitled to some of the proceeds made from using their likeness on the game given that most contracts include lucrative image right deals”.
Gareth Bale’s agent, Jonathan Barnett, told The Guardian potential legal action was “something that is being looked into”.
“At the moment, the players don’t get paid,” he said. “Our big gripe is that FIFA are coming out with lots of rules and regulations saying that they are looking after the best interests of players but obviously they don’t.”
Premier League clubs sell their licensing rights for video games collectively. Serie A clubs do not, however, which opens the door for individual agreements for clubs, such as Ibrahimovic’s AC Milan.
Responding to recent developments, EA issued a new, strongly-worded statement that claimed FIFA 21 was being dragged into a dispute between third-parties – and insisted it has the rights to all players in the game.
“We are aware of discussions around licensing of players in EA Sports FIFA,” EA told Eurogamer. “The current situation being played out on social media is an attempt to draw FIFA 21 into a dispute between a number of third parties and has little to do with EA Sports.