Students Are Destroying Their FIFA Games In Protest Over Corruption Allegations

Students Are Destroying Their FIFA Games In Protest Over Corruption Allegations

Students and loyal football fans are boycotting FIFA by destroying their copies of the popular game in the wake of the recent controversy around the association.

Following the corruption allegations, arrests and the re-election of FIFA President Sepp Blatter, students have taken a stand against the organisation they have previously been so loyal to.

The campaign is calling on fellow football fans to boycott FIFA by destroying their copies of the game, and to instead opt to play their ultimate rival gaming organisation, Pro Evolution Soccer.

The initiative comes after students became fed up with the FIFA scandals and the persistent corruption charges. The student behind the boycott, David Mant, 21, told The Tab that it was "bad enough" when Russia won the bid for the 2018 World Cup, over England, who were favourites to win.

Mant went on to express his loyalty to the franchise: "Since the purity of Ronaldinho’s FIFA 09, I have been unquestionably loyal to the FIFA franchise, purchasing a copy of each subsequent game.

"However my loyalty is no more. This year, when September arrives I will not be leaving a budget retailer with a copy of FIFA 16."

Many of these football-loving students are encouraging fellow fans to take a stand against the corruption by throwing away their copies. Fans involved in the popular campaign are also calling on fellow gamers to opt out of buying FIFA 16, which is set to be released on 25th September 2015.

David stated that the final straw was with the re-election of FIFA President Blatter in Zurich on Friday, adding: "It’s no longer innocent, it’s mass corruption. It is high time that we who uphold the traditional values of honesty and transparency, vote with our wrists – pick up PES 16 and down with the bourgeoisie oppressor."

Another student taking part in the campaign, Adam Payne, 21, is fed up of the corrupt organisation, telling HuffPost UK: "If Blatter is telling truth and genuinely had absolutely no idea of decades years of corruption then he is utterly incompetent. If he was aware, as I suspect, then he's completely corrupt and an international disgrace. Either way, his position is clearly untenable.

"For as long as I can remember FIFA has always felt like a private, out-of-touch, elitist, money-grabbing club with no real genuine understanding of the fans or the spirit of the game. Complete reform is what is needed."

Fellow gamer and loyal fan, Scot Cairne, believes Blatter's re-election to be the reason for so many fans crying out. "I think it is a disgrace to the sport with the corruption scandal, and with him being the head and carrying on as the president," he told HuffPost UK.

"So a way I thought the fans could stand up to the company would be to not buy FIFAs computer game, as it's a way that fans could have a stance against FIFA."

Social media has come out in support for the student-led campaign, with many dedicated and angered fans expressing their support for the boycott.

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