Ian Wright calls out EA FC 24 gender ‘haters’
EA Sports FC Ambassador and former Arsenal forward Ian Wright has spoken out in defence of the decision to introduce mixed teams to FC 24.
The introduction of mixed teams has sparked some controversy online from players who think it is unrealistic for men and women to play on the same team, however others are excited to be able to play as some of their favourite female players.
Ian Wright called out the people hating on mixed teams in FC 24
Ian Wright spoke to GLHF on the green carpet at the London launch of FC 24 last week about mixed teams coming to the Ultimate Team game mode.
He reportedly told GLHF: “It's a beautiful thing, football is for everybody, so it’s great to see that it’s finally being recognised on this level.
“It’s fantastic for the Icons, players like Marta and Kelly Smith, all the great players that we can mention, Mia Hamm too, it goes back! So, to see it on a level playing field now for people playing the game with [Ultimate Team], it’s brilliant.”
Wright name-dropped a few of the female players he was excited to be able to play as in Ultimate Team, including Lionesses' Lauren James, Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly, and Leah Williamson.
The decision to introduce mixed teams to Ultimate Team in FC 24 has been controversial online, with some players sharing how they felt it was unrealistic for men and women to play together.
In response, Wright told GLHF: “You try not to take notice of people like that, because they’re not really the people you want to reach.
“Boys and girls play up to the age of 12, and they’re not fussed about that, in a game you know, men and women can play in the icons team. I’m gonna have some of the girls in my [Ultimate] Team."
The Arsenal star also said it was more important to focus on the positive elements of the introduction of mixed players than the negative reception.
Mixed teams were introduced to raise the profile of women's leagues and make household names out of the female football stars by putting them before the 300 million people who play FC.
“The fact is, we’ve got to stop putting emphasis on those people who are being negative, it’s not important what they think," he said. "It’s gathering so much momentum, the support for the women’s game, that you can’t really be dragged back by people who think negatively.”
