No Friends Online - EAFC24 - EA Connect - Can’t see online friends

I cannot see any friends online within EAFC24.  When I hit the R2 Button to take me to EA Connect, I get that screen up, with the Friends tab.  It simply says in there "Sorry. Something prevented us from fulfilling your request". And no Online friends are displayed.

It also says 0 in the bottom right where R2 is.  I know there are friends online, and they can see me fine.

Playstation shows them online too, playing EAFC24 and can start a party no problem within the Playstation Network.  None of us are hidden either.

I've tested this from my phone's network too, so it isn't an issue with my standard router.

So, it is purely EA Connect / EAFC issue. Any ideas anyone??????