First, it should be noted that the FIFA series of games features a very extensive online mode called FIFA Ultimate Team, in which, in addition to competition between players from around the world, everyone can collect player cards. For some time now, the publisher has introduced so-called icon cards into the game. As an example of such a card, we have Diego Maradona, who appears on two cards in FIFA 22 and on three in FIFA 21.
The agreement with Electronic Arts regarding the use of the player’s image in the game was signed by Stefano Ceci, a long-time friend and former manager of Diego Maradona. Unfortunately, he was unable to provide any confirmation or evidence to suggest that he was authorized to retain the rights to the player’s image in the context of the FIFA games.
Meanwhile, after the footballer’s death, his lawyer, Matias Morla, filed a lawsuit with the court to settle legal issues related to the rights to Diego Maradona’s image. As a result, he won the case against the footballer’s daughters and is currently the owner of the protective rights to the name, image, and brand “Maradona.”
Consequently, Matias Morla requested the removal of the footballer from the popular game series. Although there is no resolution in this matter yet, it is said that, in the opinion of the Argentine justice system, the lawyer has grounds for such a request, and a favorable outcome for him is very likely.
Thus, Electronic Arts still faces a court battle with Matias Morla regarding the image of Diego Maradona on the icon cards in the FIFA 21 and 22 games. Will the footballer definitively disappear from the game? Or will the parties reach an agreement on this matter? The coming months will certainly reveal the answer.
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