FIFA 19 Champions League leak comes from an unlikely source
Double Dutch.
FIFA 19 has the official licence for the Champions League and the Europa League - according to a leak from an unlikely source.
Last month, Konami announced its 10-year deal with UEFA would come to an end after this year's Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool. It means Pro Evolution Soccer's decade-long run as the exclusive Champions League rights holder for video games is over.
The announcement led to speculation that EA Sports had nabbed the Champions League licence for FIFA 19, which is due out later this year. Well, according to a Dutch commentator, EA Sports has done exactly that.
Yesterday, speaking on Dutch television, Fox Sports commentator Evert ten Napel talked about his voice work on the FIFA series, and in doing so expressed his excitement at the addition of the Champions League and the Europa League for FIFA 19.
The moment was captured in the video below:
And here's a translation, courtesy of ResetEra:
"For about six or seven days a year, I record updated lines [for the game] in the studio in Utrecht with Youri Mulder [another commentator]. In 2019 as well, the game will get even better, because they've added the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League. I'm almost finished with the 2019 version, which will then go to the test center. [In the test center] some very good players will check everything and after that, it will go to the stores in October. And then all those weirdos will be standing in line again at midnight."
According to Eurogamer reader Rick Linderman (@romanista on Twitter), from Utrecht: "Some people looked surprised, but the interview continued like nothing happened."
Now, it's not surprising FIFA 19 has these high-profile tournament licences, but Event Ten Napel's wayward comments will no doubt have soured EA's planned big splash at E3 in June, when the company is set to unveil the game for the first time.
As for PES, Konami has already announced this year's game and promised more officially-licensed leagues than ever before.