The legendary Diego Maradona was removed from FIFA 22 because of a legal dispute, and the move has fans disappointed.
EA has been highly upfront about it, and players receive a message as soon as they start the game. “Due to a third party legal dispute, we must suspend Diego Maradona from appearing in FIFA Ultimate Team Packs, Ultimate Draft and the Soccer Aid World XI team. “As such, Diego Maradona Icon Items will no longer be made available in Packs, SBCs and FUT Draft, and their price range has been fixed until further notice. “We share our fans’ disappointment and hope to bring one of football’s greatest icons back in the game at some point in the future.”
After negotiating for the ability to use Maradona's likeness with Stefano Ceci, the player's former manager, an Argentinian court determined that Ceci has no authority over Maradona's likeness. The court then decided that EA could not use the legend in its game until it was all sorted out. Maradona's lawyer Matias Morla told the courts that Maradona provided all legal rights to his own company Sattvica before he passed. However, Sattvica has also had problems as they were banned in 2021 from using Maradona branding after two of Maradona's daughters filed a complaint.
The courts later threw out that specific ban; however, the two sides continue to battle over Maradona's rights. Maradona had three Icon cards available in the game, with one holding an overall 97 rating. If you missed out on Maradona in the game, check out a review by Heiress FC before was removed:
