Women's football has made massive strides on and off the pitch over the past decade.
From equal pay to record attendances and increased media coverage and commercial support, the women's game continues to grow exponentially.
Its popularity has also seen more female players and leagues added to EA Sport's FIFA video game franchise.
While a positive move, recent additions to FIFA 23 have left some players less than impressed with the end product.
MORE: Will there be a FIFA 24 and when is the next game coming out?
Why FIFA 23 female player avatars have come under fire
To mark the start of the 2023 National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) season, FIFA 23 officially added the competition to its game on March 23.
The addition includes all 12 teams, their players, and four NWSL specific stadiums.
But EA have since been slammed for a general lack of accuracy when it comes to the players' avatars with a number of NWSL stars left unhappy with their portrayal.
I know you expect women to just be thankful and grateful that you’ve given us a little sliver of publicity but please stop wasting our time. Some of us are bald. pic.twitter.com/DK6jut5YmS
— Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) March 23, 2023
I’m grateful EA Sports is finally including the NWSL but this does not represent me. @EASPORTSFIFA pic.twitter.com/SgrFkoCYy1
— Caprice Dydasco (@CapriceDydasco) March 22, 2023
Somebody please lmk when they find me, Madison Hammond #99 from Angel City! Because this … is simply not it! 💀 pic.twitter.com/PP6UzFRGjb
— Madison Hammond (@gohaamm) March 22, 2023
Can’t believe I wore a hairnet for this pic.twitter.com/lc0m5vJkkU
— Alex Chidiac (@alexchidiac10) March 23, 2023
Found my long lost twin! Fraternal obviously. pic.twitter.com/TZbLDJsgy8
— Janine Beckie (@janinebeckie) March 23, 2023
You are going to scare my children. pic.twitter.com/LkxwQg37EF
— Sydney Leroux (@sydneyleroux) March 22, 2023
EA seemingly used the same technology they use for male players, but the end product hasn't been anywhere near as good.
EA Sports are yet to respond to the criticism but it's possible the player avatars could be refined in future updates of the game.
Meghann Burke, Executive Director of the NWSLPA, has called on EA to make swift changes to the current avatars.
“We insist on immediate action from EA to rectify the offensive and inauthentic portrayals of players of color in FIFA 23," Burke told CNN in a statement.
"The NWSL Players Association, alongside our agent OneTeam Partners, has a dedicated gaming team actively working with EA to resolve this matter.”
MORE: The new teams and new stadiums in FIFA 23
Women's football in FIFA 23
Women's football has become a greater focus for EA Sports in recent years and FIFA 23 has welcomed more female-centred content than ever before.
Along with the NWSL, the UEFA Women's Champions League was also recently added to the game.
The 2023 Women's World Cup is expected to be added prior to the tournament kicking off in July.
FIFA 23 was also the first game to feature a female cover star with Chelsea and Matildas star Sam Kerr on the front of some physical editions of the game.