Hit soccer video game adds mixed-gender teams, sheds Fifa name

Spotlights on female soccer stars such as Sam Kerr and Alexia Putellas reflect the reality of the sport today, something the franchise wants to capture, EA Sports FC vice president of brand David Jackson told AFP. — EA Sports

SAN FRANCISCO: The blockbuster soccer video game franchise from Electronic Arts, no longer linked to Fifa, will allow mixed-gender lineups in fantasy matches that have triggered sexist pushback even before the Friday (Sept 29) release.

Early access to the game, now renamed FC 24, began last week with the novel feature of female soccer stars virtually taking to the pitch with male counterparts for fantasy squad matches in an "Ultimate Team" mode of online play.