Premier League Funds Worth $13.6M Frozen in Sorare Crypto Sponsorship Investigation

Key Points

• British authorities seized $13.6 million from the Premier League’s bank account using the Proceeds of Crime Act
• The funds represent the initial payment from Sorare’s multi-year sponsorship agreement valued at approximately $163 million
• The crypto fantasy football platform is defending against Gambling Commission charges for operating without proper licensing
• No allegations of misconduct have been made against the Premier League, which is challenging the freeze order
• UK financial regulators have cautioned football clubs about partnerships with unregistered cryptocurrency companies

British law enforcement has secured control over $13.6 million deposited in the Premier League’s bank account, originating from Sorare—a cryptocurrency-based fantasy football platform with backing from high-profile investors like Lionel Messi.

Westminster magistrates’ court granted the National Crime Agency’s request to freeze the assets in January 2025. The agency invoked the Proceeds of Crime Act to secure funds held in a Barclays account registered to The Football Association Premier League Limited.

According to the agency’s statement, the restriction aims “to prevent dissipation of the funds while the NCA investigates any potential links between those funds and alleged third-party criminality.”

The Premier League has not been accused of any wrongdoing in this matter. League officials refused to provide comment on the revelations, which were initially published by British tabloid The Sun.

The seized $13.6 million represents the opening installment of a four-year sponsorship agreement revealed in January 2023. Industry sources pegged the partnership’s value at roughly $41 million annually, creating a total commitment of $163 million across the full duration.

The sponsorship terms granted Sorare permission to create digital player cards representing all 20 Premier League teams. Individual clubs received compensation based on the frequency of their players’ card usage. The agreement was scheduled to continue through the 2025-26 campaign.

Sorare Challenges Media Reports

Sorare has contested elements of The Sun’s coverage. A company representative informed Decrypt that the platform is “not under investigation by the UK National Crime Agency.” The spokesperson further clarified that Sorare does not own the frozen account.

The company also emphasized that its Premier League partnership concluded naturally at the contract’s expiration and was not terminated due to any regulatory inquiry.

Outstanding Gambling Allegations

The platform confronts a distinct legal challenge initiated by the UK Gambling Commission. In September 2024, the regulatory body formally accused Sorare of operating gambling services without the required operating licence mandated by the Gambling Act 2005.

This marked the Gambling Commission’s inaugural enforcement action targeting a blockchain-powered platform. Sorare submitted three not-guilty pleas during proceedings at Birmingham magistrates’ court in October 2024.

The hearing date was initially scheduled for June 2026 but has since been postponed to June 2027.

Company representatives maintain that Sorare “firmly” rejects classification as a gambling service under British legislation and intends to vigorously contest the allegations.

The Financial Conduct Authority has additionally intervened. In June 2026, the regulator issued written notices to Premier League teams cautioning that commercial arrangements with unlicensed cryptocurrency entities could violate financial services regulations and potentially harm supporters.

The FCA’s director of consumer investments stated that clubs “should not let unauthorised financial firms exploit that loyalty by putting potentially dodgy products in front of millions of fans.”

Established in 2018, Sorare achieved a $4.3 billion valuation following a SoftBank-led investment round in 2021.

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