Here's why Iceland won't be featured in FIFA 17
You probably watched Iceland at Euro 2016, fell in love and thought it would be cool to play with the team when FIFA 17 came out. Maybe, just maybe, the fans would even do the Viking clap. But you won't be able to use them at all in the video game.
Iceland and EA Sports, who make FIFA 17, haven't agreed to a licensing deal that will allow the video game to feature the team. EA Sports offered the Iceland federation $15,000 for the rights and the federation said no, believing it is a paltry sum.
"They are the ones buying these rights and they almost want it for free," Iceland federation president Geir Thorsteinsson told the BBC.
"The performance at the Euros show that we are quite a good team and many would like to play with our team. It's sad for the players - but the criticism should be towards EA Sports."
"I really feel if we are giving away rights, or offering rights, it has to be proper negotiations and fair fees." added Thorsteinsson.
"I didn't feel that this was done in a fair and open manner."
The Iceland team has never been in a FIFA video game before. However, their run to quarterfinals at the Euros and following they developed put them on the map and made them a target for the game. They are ranked 27th in the world now, but barring a change of heart from EA Sports or the Iceland federation, Iceland won't be in the video game.
No Gylfi Sigurdsson. No gorgeous flag socks. No luscious Birkir Bjarnason hair. No Viking clap. You'll have to watch the real thing for all that because you won't get them in FIFA 17.
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