EA Sports to Remove All Russian Clubs from NHL 22, FIFA 22 After Ukraine Invasion

The Russian national team and all licensed Russian clubs will be removed from the game due to the invasion of Ukraine.

The company said it stood in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and called for peace and an end to the invasion of the country.

National and club teams from Russia and Belarus will be included in NHL 22.

The full licensing rights for the Russian premier league were not obtained by the company. CSKA Moscow, Lokomotiv Moscow and Spartak Moscow are included in the game.

In December, the International Ice Hockey Federation and Electronic Arts announced a partnership that opened the door for international teams and competition in NHL 22.

There was widespread condemnation of Russia from international sporting organizations.

The Russian national team has been suspended from international competition. Russia was scheduled to play Poland in a World Cup qualification game on March 24.

The final of the European club competition was moved from Russia to Paris and the partnership between the two was severed.

The World Junior Ice Hockey Championships will be moved from its original host city of Novosibirsk, Russia, after the IIHF banned Russia and Belarus.