EA Sports has announced that it is investigating allegations employees are selling rare player cards following widespread concern within the FIFA 21 fanbase.
The cards are used in FIFA Ultimate Team (FUT), an online multiplayer mode that generates enormous revenues for EA Sports, and often feature players with superior abilities, giving their owners an advantage in matches.
Earlier this week, reports began spreading on social media that claimed to have screenshots of a text exchange between an alleged EA employee and a FIFA 21 player trying to purchase FUT Icon and Team of the Year cards. In the text exchange, the seller was offering rare cards for over $1,000 USD.
A special thanks to @RiberaRibell for the picture , he did an amazing work❤️
(continue in the comments)#fut #fifa pic.twitter.com/bJIg2rpWtI— Arcade-Fut (@FutArcade) March 10, 2021
As you can see from the leaked messages above, the alleged EA employee explains to the customer that players are paying thousands of dollars to list valuable Icon Moment cards like Ruud Gullit and Ronaldo on the transfer market.
Furthermore, FIFA 21 streamer Nick28T posted further screenshots and even ‘video proof’ that could suggest an EA employee is selling FUT cards for real cash.
So we grind/trade/open packs and can’t touch these PIM players but EA employees sell them to people secretly for $1,700?!?! LOL I respect the grind but my god… pic.twitter.com/CCnhjZbcgH
— Nick ?? (@Nick28T) March 10, 2021
Video proof?!? I mean this could just be an EA Dev though or an actual employee? Who knows anymore. It’s all allegations, let’s just hope EA makes a statement on this and stays honest with us. #FUT21 #FIFA21 pic.twitter.com/lzqGMDE5S3
— Nick ?? (@Nick28T) March 10, 2021
It must be noted that nothing has been proved at this stage, although those behind the scenes at EA Sports have confirmed that a “thorough” investigation is already underway in relation to the incident.
EA Sports have previously been accused of designing loot boxes, which a parliamentary inquiry has called to be recognised as a form of gambling due to the random nature of the rewards offered and the spending of real money.
