In line with its previous efforts to combat discrimination and bigotry in its sports games such as through the Positive Play Charter and the “No Room for Racism” Premier League kits, EA Sports has added new anti-racism kits for several European leagues to FIFA 23. These kits can be acquired through the completion of simple Objectives in-game, making them easily accessible to the vast majority of the playerbase.
- Related Reading: FIFA 23 Career Mode Hidden Gems and Fastest Players Revealed, Full Player Ratings Database Out Now
EA Sports has collaborated with a number of its European football league partners to launch special kits for each playable league with progressive, anti-discrimination messaging inside the game. SVP of Brand at EA Sports Andrea Hopelain reiterated the company’s progressive values and mission:
EA SPORTS is committed to tackling toxicity not only in our games but also out on the pitch and beyond. We stand with our league partners and aim to use our platform to spread the anti-racism message through gaming. Players across the globe can now access the latest bespoke kits in-game and showcase their support for this important cause.
Players will be able to acquire the kits by completing simple FUT Objectives. The kits are described as follows:
- Premier League – “There’s no room for racism” – The No Room For Racism Action Plan brings together the wide-ranging work the Premier League undertakes to tackle discrimination. The Premier League has also worked with designer Kingsley Nebechi and Nike, co-creating a kit and stadium vanity that displays the ‘NRFR’ message. The kit takes inspiration from tribal artwork, relating to ethnicities from around the world.
- Bundesliga – “STOP RACISM” – The Bundesliga works hand in hand with its clubs to ‘STOP RACISM’ – a campaign that is supported by the clubs and partners of Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 throughout the year. In collaboration with independent streetwear brand Beautiful Struggles the DFL has also created the ‘STOP RACISM’ kit; a purple shirt with a strong message, designed to reflect the German Foundation’s International Week Against Racism campaign.
- LaLiga Santander – “UNITY” – Spanish premier division LaLiga Santander worked with internationally awarded artistic collective BOA Mistura to create their ‘UNITY’ campaign. The campaign seeks to raise awareness of the importance of eradicating racism in all areas of society, through the union of people. The kit design features prominent blocked colouring across the front and back, with the word ‘UNITY’ featuring on the sleeves, delivering the league’s message on the fight against racism and discrimination.
- Ligue 1 Uber Eats and LICRA – “We are all responsible” – The French Ligue 1 Uber Eats and LICRA have created a campaign which focuses on reporting unacceptable behavior in stadiums and online, in the fight against racism and anti-semitism. Their co-created kit includes the logo “SIGNALEZ” (or “REPORT”) on top of a red training bib inviting people to “Step forward” (or “Entrez en jeu”) and report such behaviors.
- Serie A and UNAR – “Keep Racism Out” – Italian league Serie A are working with UNAR on the ‘Keep Racism Out’ awareness campaign to fight racism and all forms of discrimination, not only in the world of football and sport, but as the campaign tagline suggests ‘Together. Everywhere’. They’ve created a kit which features the Serie A brand colours, with the ‘Keep Racism Out’ logo in white taking a prominent position on the front.
- KNVB and Eredivisie – “ONE LOVE” – In a joint initiative between the Dutch FA, the Dutch League Eredivisie and others, the ‘ONE LOVE’ campaign looks to speak out against racism and discrimination. Alongside this awareness campaign, ‘ONE LOVE’ also consists of a training offer for football clubs to use and help educate about the power of diversity. The co-created kit going in-game features various shapes and colours which represent a statement against all kinds of discrimination. It’ll also feature the ‘ONE LOVE’ armband on the kit sleeve.
While the Bundesliga kit’s unveiling is a week away (March 29), the rest of the new FIFA 23 anti-racism kits and imagery can be seen below:
EA Sports’ FIFA 23 is available now for PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One.