Electronic Arts vowed to step up his efforts in addressing racist elements in his community of FIFA, referring to the use of new technologies that will be added to FIFA 21 in the coming months. The developer responded by highlighting the extent of the ongoing problem in the world's best-selling football series. A spokesperson for EA pointed out the work that the software house is doing to solve the problem, such as automatic filters to block foul and inappropriate text. Since FIFA 21 launched in October, the company has over 9.000 accounts banned and has issued over 25.000 warnings or suspensions based on reports of offensive and inappropriate content. But the company recognized that more needs to be done:
We are committed to continually improving our tools and solutions to address new challenges, including smarter migration and monitoring technology to be released in the coming months. We will take all reports seriously and take appropriate action.
The problems mainly concern FIFA's Pro Club online multiplayer mode, which allows players to name their own clubs and players, a possibility that many have ended up abusing, using racist, homophobic and highly abusive terms towards their opponents. Some screenshots of the names of the FIFA 21 Pro Clubs supporting the English defense league, a far-right Islamophobic organization, and who make fun of the movement Black Lives Matter. Not only that, some users have reported in-game player names that using identities of known racists, pedophiles and mass murderers. The football series has one PEGI age rating of 3+ In the UK and Europe, and E for Everyone in North America, which means children can potentially be exposed to this user-generated content. A legitimate stance that of EA, which hopefully can be followed by other software houses.
