A recent study has revealed that one of the most popular games in the world reinforces racial stereotypes.
The study claims that the top black players in FIFA were given better physical attributes, such as sprint speed and jumping, whereas white players were given better technical attributes, such as composure.
EA Sports, however, have hit out at the study, stating that there is 'no correlation between skin tone and skill in our game.'
Is FIFA racist?
The study was conducted by Paul Ian Campbell, assistant professor in Sociology at Leicester University, and Marcus Maloney, assistant professor in Sociology at Coventry University.
In an article for The Conversation, the pair said their study of the top 88 outfield players showed the game is 'a site for a potent experiential socialisation in racialised myths.'
The professors collected data from the game and compared key attributes.
The pair claim that black players were given higher scores in physical specialities, such as sprint speed, jumping ability, strength, balance and aggression. It added that by comparison, white players had higher scores in cognitive and technical attributes, such as composure, crossing ability, free kick ability and ability to curve the ball.
The researches doing the study have said: "Put simply, our study found that the aggregate scores for the digital players' sporting attributes directly correlated with the racial stereotypes associated with black and white footballers in real life.
"There is a risk that children are effectively taught that black and white athletes are meaningfully 'different'... through the seemingly innocent and banal act of play."
It is fair to say that the franchise have hit out in response to the comments made.
EA Sports hit back at new study
In a statement given to The Conversation, a spokesperson for EA Sports said there was 'no correlation between skin tone and skill in our game' when accounting for position.
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“The data presented within this study provides a narrow and incomplete view of overall player ratings.
“The study does not control for player position, which is crucial when determining a player's final attributes.
“Furthermore, the study accounted for 88 of approximately 17,000 players found. In our most recent game, EA Sports FIFA 23, this total is now over 19,000.
“Racism has no place in the world of football, and has no place in any of our games.
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“While we acknowledge that biases continue to exist in sport, it is our duty as a leader in global football to stand against them.
“We highlighted this in our Beat the Bias campaign alongside our partners at Copa90 in 2020.”
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