Lack of licenses sullies FIFA Euro 2012 launch

EA has confirmed that just 29 out of the 53 international squads featured in the Euro 2012 DLC for FIFA 12 are licensed.

The publisher had never said anything to the contrary, of course, but nonetheless many consumers have been left surprised having become accustomed to EA’s licence-rich football series.

Unlicensed teams include Wales, leaving big names such as Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Craig Bellamy going under the pseudonyms Gareth Belth, Aaron Rumsey and Craig Belmont.

"The national teams in Euro 2012 are a combination of teams officially licensed or covered by our FIFPro license, and generic teams,” an EA statement reads.

While we would like to have every national team officially licensed, of the 53 national teams in the game, 29 are licensed. The remaining ones are generic.

"The inclusion of national teams is negotiated between EA and each national football association, which we need to license individually. Licensing teams and leagues is a business decision based on market size and limited resources, and within these parameters, we were not able to negotiate an agreement with every football association to have their national team included within the game."