EA has a FIFA player for life after sending racist messages to a former footballer. Patrick O’Brien loses an Ultimate Team game featuring a virtual version of Ian Wright, which led to the teenager sending 20 abusive messages to Instagram to Wright last May.
O’Brien was charged in connection with the incident. While pleading guilty, a judge spared the Irish 18-year-old from a criminal conviction. The judge admitted O’Brien had shown legal remorse – he apologized to Wright and made a donation to the Irish anti-racism network. Although Wright forgave O’Brien, he expressed disappointment with the result.
“When I see this verdict, I can only wonder what deterrent there is for anyone else who expresses this kind of bad racist abuse,” Wright, a retired player who won the Premier League with Arsenal, wrote on Twitter. because of my skin color. No judge’s allegations of ‘naivety’ or ‘immaturity’ will ever be acceptable to us. “
Although O’Brien does not spend time in jail over his messages, he is dealing with the consequences of his actions elsewhere following his permanent ban on FIFA games.
‘We really appreciate it [Wright’s] partnership and support, and we also want him to know that he has our support, “said David Jackson, FIFA’s Vice President of EA. . “This behavior of the player was unacceptable at every level, and we will not tolerate it. Our positive play charter guides our actions in a situation like this, and we have taken the action to permanently prohibit the player from playing or accessing. “To get our games. Racism must stop. We are committed to continuing our work in a positive game through actions that will make our communities fun, fair and safe for all.”
Wright praised EA in his podcast for sending a message that “whether it be race, religion, sex, whatever, no discrimination will be tolerated.”
Several footballers in the UK have endured abuse and racism over Instagram. The service that it will take ‘stricter action’ on harassment in direct messages.