EA investigates FIFA scandal after employee allegedly caught selling rare FUT cards

EA investigates allegations that an employee, or at least someone involved with EA FIFA, sells rare goods FIFA 21 Ultimate Team items in exchange for real money via some sort of improvised black market Earlier this week, reports began to spread on social media that claimed to have screenshots of a text exchange between an employee suspected EA and a FIFA 21 player trying to buy FUT Icon and Team of the Year cards. During the text exchange, the seller was offering rare cards for over $ 1,000.

Typically, legitimate ways of acquiring these cards involve trading between players or purchasing random loot packs, which makes these cards incredibly rare. And it should be noted that Icon and TOTY cards are not only rare because of famous players, but because their competitive stats are also some of the best in the game.

The exchange has since been named EA Gate on social media. You can check out the alleged details in a tweet from @FutArcade below.

#EAGATE

Special thanks to @RiberaRibell for the photo he did an amazing job

Have you played FIFA 21 [Current-Gen]?

YESNO

(continue in the comments)#fut #fifa pic.twitter.com/bJIg2rpWtI

– Arcade-Fut (@FutArcade) March 10, 2021

It’s unclear exactly how these transactions begin, but according to the chat screenshots, someone looking for rare FUT cards just needs to provide their PSN and EA ID, along with the appropriate funds. When asked if there is a reason to worry about being banned, the seller says there is “no risk” but cannot disclose why for safety’s sake.

The alleged seller appears to be offering a menu of items, including 3 Icon cards for 750 euros (~ $ 895) or 3 Icon cards and 2 Team of the Year cards for 1000 euros (~ $ 1,193).

In a statement posted to EA Sports FIFA’s official Twitter account, the company says it is aware of the allegations and has opened an investigation.

“A full investigation is underway, and if we identify improper conduct, we will take prompt action,” EA says. “We want to be clear – this type of behavior is unacceptable, and we do not condone what would have happened here in any way.”

pic.twitter.com/DtclTPandl

– EA SPORTS FIFA (@EASPORTSFIFA) March 10, 2021

IGN contacted EA and received the same statement posted on Twitter. We will have updates for when EA concludes its investigation.

Matt TM Kim is editor-in-chief of IGN.