FIFA 18: Ex-Premier League striker Nile Ranger axed from the game, blasts EA for unfair treatment

What's the story?

Southend United striker Nile Ranger is the newest entrant in the list of players with a gripe against FIFA 18. However, the one thing that sets him apart from the other complainants is the fact that he has not been included in the game at all. While the likes of Benjamin Mendy, Dele Alli and Michy Batshuayi have found issues with the rating allocation, Ranger was livid on not being featured in the game at all.

In case you didn't know...

The striker had a 10-week stint in prison on the charges of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was released prematurely for 'excellent custodial behaviour'. Ranger's career has been peppered with controversy and off-field activities which have been frowned upon. Following his release, he was drafted into Southend United. So far, he has made just three appearances on the pitch.

The heart of the matter

The creators of FIFA appear to have deemed him ‘persona non grata’ despite the striker playing a game in the League One season a few weeks ago. An incensed Ranger took to Twitter and said that if he was Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, he would not get the same treatment that had been meted out to him. However, the Englishman quickly found out that the fans were fresh out of sympathy for him.

What's next?

Fans bombarded him with a truckload of tweets trolling him for comparing himself to players of Messi and Ronaldo's calibre.

You have to have been a footballer to be in FIFA #NUFC

— Andrew Cant (@andyc1892) September 21, 2017

When you screw up, the Internet is VERY unforgiving.

You were a premier league footballer and you pissed it away thinking your a gangster. And all your worried about it being on FIFA ?

— Olly Smith (@smithy0504) September 21, 2017

No time for cheats

@EA dont have the technology to put an ankle tags on the players on fifa

— craig (@Ce2310Craig) September 21, 2017

The burn is strong with this one

Author's take

While the other three footballer's concerns are understandable, Ranger does not have a leg to stand on. EA probably did the right thing by excluding him or else they would have been the ones in hot water for including a tainted player in their game. It is good to see that a reputed gaming companies like EA will go to any lengths to discourage corruption on any level.