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EA will soon release new technology to tackle racism and toxicity in FIFA 21

Publisher has banned over 9,000 accounts and issues over 25,000 warnings or suspensions since October launch

Electronic Arts has promised to increase its efforts in tackling the racist elements of its FIFA community, including new technologies that will be added to FIFA 21 in the next few months.

The publisher was responding to an investigation by Eurogamer, which highlighted the extent of the ongoing issue in the best-selling football series.

An EA spokesperson emphasised the work the publisher is doing to address the problem, such as automatic filters to block profane text.

But the firm recognised more needs to be done.

"We're committed to continuously advancing our tools and solutions to address new challenges, including more intelligent monitoring and migration technology that will be released in the coming months."

No further details on this new technology were given at this time.

The publisher added that it "takes all reports seriously and regularly actions against our findings."

Since FIFA 21 launched in October, the company has banned over 9,000 accounts and issued over 25,000 warnings or suspensions based on reports of offensive and inappropriate content.

The problems centre around FIFA's Pro Clubs online multiplayer mode, which allows players to name their own clubs and footballers -- something many have abused to present racist, homophobic and otherwise toxic terms to their opponents.

Eurogamer reports seeing screenshots of FIFA 21 Pro Clubs team names supporting The English Defence league, a far-right Islamophobic organisation, and mocking the Black Lives Matter movement.

It also reports seeing names for in-game footballers that play on those of well-known racists, paedophiles and mass murderers.

The FIFA series has an age rating of 3+ in the UK and Europe, and E for Everyone in North America, meaning children can potentially be exposed to this user-generated content.

EA recently demonstrated its stance on racism when it permanently banned a FIFA player after he abused ex-footballer Ian Wright via social media about his in-game counterpart.