EA Sports to remove 13 female FIFA 16 players from roster due to NCAA notice
EA Sports has announced it is removing 13 players from the female roster in FIFA 16 due to the inclusion risking their eligibility for collegiate athletics.
According to EA, the female players are "currently attending or are likely to attend NCAA-sanctioned schools" in the US, and the NCAA informed the company these 13 student-athletes would be "risking their eligibility" by being included in FIFA 16.
"We do not agree with this position," said EA. "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 following players affected by the NCAA’s decision will no longer appear in FIFA 16:
- 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 said it will keep everyone informed of updates on these players as the season unfolds.
FIFA 16 is slated for release on September 22 in North America and September 24 in Europe on PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.