"EA Sports is an excellent partner for the Fut 20 Coins Premier League and we're excited about launching ePremier League with them," said Richard Masters, Premier League Managing Director. "We know that millions of fans play FIFA and this brand new eSports competition will provide our clubs having an exciting opportunity to engage with them.

The Premier League's decision should come as no surprise. Several teams, including Manchester City and West Ham, have specialist FIFA players on their books and there is a desire to ensure that the general product isn't threatened by the increase of competitive gaming and to make it continues to attract the attention of younger audiences.

The FIFA series is already used for the buy FIFA Coins 20 Interactive World Cup and it associates with a number of leagues.

But the Premier League is potentially the most successful soccer brand that is worldwide thanks in no small part to marketing. The two organizations have a longstanding relationship which saw the introduction of a fully-branded Premier League mode in the FIFA 15 edition of the series.Although a developing part of their landscape, sports simulations are not among the most well-known eSports. Titles like Fortnite, Overwatch and Dota command audiences both in terms of streams and physical attendances. EA Sports seemingly expects to grow FIFA so it could control a similar status.