A recent change to FIFA 19's Twitter banner may have just demonstrated sponsors' deep concern over Cristiano Ronaldo's rape allegations.
The Juventus forward has been accused of rape by Kathryn Mayorga, who claimed he assaulted her in Las Vegas in 2009. Ronaldo has denied the accusation, calling it "fake news".
In an email to Eurogamer, an EA spokesperson stopped short of saying the publisher planned to ditch Ronaldo as FIFA 19 cover star, but called the report in German magazine Der Spiegel "concerning".
"We have seen the concerning report that details allegations against Cristiano Ronaldo. We are closely monitoring the situation, as we expect cover athletes and ambassadors to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with EA's values."
FIFA fans had picked up on a recent change to the EA Sports FIFA Twitter banner, which swapped an image of Ronaldo for an image of the FIFA 19 logo with accompanying review quotes.
FIFA 19's Twitter banner today
FIFA 19's Twitter banner last week
However, the EA spokesperson told Eurogamer the company updates its social banners for certain marketing beats.
EA's statement follows a similar comment from Nike, which has a contract with Ronaldo. "We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation," the sportswear company told The Associated Press.
Ronaldo was left out of the Portugal squad for upcoming games against Poland and Scotland, but Juventus has backed him on Twitter. The Italian club paid £105m to bring the superstar forward to Turin from Real Madrid.
"I firmly deny the accusations being issued against me," Ronaldo said in a statement published on Twitter. "Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in.
"Keen as I may be to clear my name, I refuse to feed the media spectacle created by people seeking to promote themselves at my expense.
"My clear conscious will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations."
EA has invested heavily in Ronaldo as the cover star of FIFA 19, which is the best-selling game in the UK this year. The player adorns the game's menus, and is front and centre in the FIFA Ultimate Team Ones to Watch promotion.
Juniorbill
411
He can't be stopped On the pitch, so they are trying other means . stay strong bro
U.S.A3052497
292
They didnt change the banner because of that AF Staff (barca fans), stop making up stories cause 90% of all football visitors dont believe u guys anymore, u guys looks stupid. I follow fifa for years on twitter and they always change it a few times in the beginning, this is a banner with review scores and thats good for marketing, so people will buy it more.
Docbdtu
244
that is why they always broadcast bad side of ronaldo and always praise messi allfootball be fair
kartik1000
228
king is king he will never stop . people are just saying anything about Ronaldo. He does not have done rape .
BabaNla_14
214
My clear conscious will thereby allow me to await with tranquillity the results of any and all investigations." Just don't know exactly the lady problem
eloro
181
This lady is really into destroying ronaldos reputation... She just want to see him fall. if not why will she case me up after 9 years for d same case. J am sure he has learnt a live lesson. 1 when life try to give u lemmings u don't take to much. 2 u dont try to deep ur tongue in other peoples mouth. Try to be patient
ROB26
152
Ronaldo shd be left alone, as if tax allegations wasn't enough nw dis.what next? is this aw they want run him down since he's not retiring early
Elsa98
132
Ronaldo's wife right now.
Docbdtu
118
hey cr7 be strong we are with u in times of happiness and hardship we as ur fans we know that u will overcome this and show dem ur good side of humanity may ur haters always failllllll!!!!!,
kudos1981
111
it shows here how dumb Ronaldo fans are blindly follow him . i know its "innocent till proven guilty" but it goes both ways, " guilty till proven innocent" to be fair w the accuser. yes she wants money and probably was thrilled to meet him in 2009 which Ronaldo himself admits they did have sex but its consensual. buy why the high payment? no hooker is worth that much. think people think! its hush money indeed!