Iceland rejected EA's $15k offer for FIFA 17 national team rights
"They are the ones buying these rights and they almost want it for free"
The Icelandic men's national football team will not appear in FIFA 17, despite its heroic display at the UEFA European Championships over the summer. The reason? A financial offer from EA that the country's football association considered too small to accept.
According to the BBC, the Football Association of Iceland (KSI) was offered $15,000 by EA for the rights to use the Icelandic team in FIFA 17. KSI president Geir Thorsteinsson said that EA "almost want it for free," prompting the organisation to reject the offer.
"The performance at the Euros show that we are quite a good team and many would like to play with our team," Thorsteinsson continued. "It's sad for the players - but the criticism should be towards EA Sports."
KSI submitted a counter offer to EA, but that was also rejected. Given that FIFA 17 launches worldwide next week, it seems likely that Iceland will not be among the 47 men's national teams included in the game. Iceland is now ranked 27th in the world by FIFA. It has never appeared in any previous game in the series.
"I really feel if we are...offering rights, it has to be proper negotiations and fair fees," Thorsteinsson said. "I didn't feel that this was done in a fair and open manner."
EA Sports didn't comment on the matter to the BBC, and declined a similar approach by ESPN.