EA removes Cristiano Ronaldo from FIFA 19 social media channels as it monitors rape allegations

FIFA 19 cover star Cristiano Ronaldo is nowhere to be seen on the game's official social media channels, following rape allegations against him.

Longtime Real Madrid forward and Juventus newcomer Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been on the cover of FIFA games for years, is facing accusations of rape. Ronaldo is FIFA 19's cover star, and EA is seemingly trying to distance itself from the player.

The game's official social media channels make no mention of Ronaldo, with the banners and icons on Twitter and Facebook having been replaced with more generic game images and review quotes.

According to the Guardian, Cristiano Ronaldo is being accused by Kathryn Mayorga to have forced her to have sex with him. The incident took place at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009, and the two reached a settlement at the time.

According to Mayorga's lawyers, Ronaldo failed to fulfil one part of their settlement agreement, making it void. Mayorga revealed other details in a Der Spiegel interview.

EA called these allegations "concerning" and said that it's monitoring the situation. "We have seen the concerning report that details allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo," an EA rep told Eurogamer.

"We are closely monitoring the situation, as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA's values."