Britain's version of the "FBI" has frozen £10 million from Premier League funds as part of an investigation into an alleged criminal case involving a crypto partner endorsed by Messi.

The National Crime Agency is investigating Sorare, which has been accused of operating unlicensed gambling.

Sorare operates a digital card game endorsed by stars including Messi and Mbappé. The company denies any wrongdoing.

The Premier League announced a high-profile four-year partnership worth £120 million with the crypto gaming company in 2023.

However, once the company came under investigation in the UK, the partnership ended at the close of last season.

We can report that the National Crime Agency obtained an order from Westminster Magistrates' Court in January 2025 to freeze £10 million under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

It is understood that this money was the first advance payment made by Sorare under its annual £30 million agreement.

The funds were held in a Barclays bank account in the name of the Premier League's managing company.

A National Crime Agency spokesperson confirmed that the court ordered the freezing of funds totalling £10,024,041.33, registered to The Football Association Premier League Limited.

The spokesperson added: "The purpose of this order is to prevent the transfer of funds while the National Crime Agency investigates a possible connection between these funds and alleged criminal activity by third parties."

The Premier League will appear in court on Monday to attempt to vary the terms of the order, which expires on 14 September.

Sorare operates a digital fantasy sports card game and is currently also being pursued by the Gambling Commission. "Managers" create virtual teams using cards featuring real players, then compete in games whose results are determined by actual player performance.

When announcing the partnership in 2023, the Premier League said it would "provide fans with another way to engage with their favourite clubs and players". The agreement gave Sorare the right to issue digital cards for players from all 20 clubs. In return, clubs would receive a share of Premier League revenue based on usage of their players' cards.

On the Premier League's official website, Sorare was once listed as a partner, with Messi, Zidane, Mbappé, Rio Ferdinand and tennis star Serena Williams named as investors, ambassadors and advisors to the company.

The introductory text also stated that Sorare was valued at £3.21 billion.

Founded in 2018, the company initially focused exclusively on the crypto trading market. Users connected wallets and traded cards using cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum or Solana.

In August 2023, Sorare officially enabled cash transactions.

Cryptocurrency trading platforms have attracted football fans and converted them into customers by entering the sport.

Chelsea announced last week that Circle will become its new main shirt sponsor.

This is the first crypto company to secure a main shirt sponsorship slot with a Premier League club, with players like João Pedro already appearing in kits bearing its logo.

Cryptocurrency exchange OKX has a £55 million annual partnership with Manchester City, with its logo displayed on the sleeves of players including Haaland.

Meanwhile, Kraken's logo appears on the sleeves of Porro and across Tottenham's squad.

Manchester United's training kit is sponsored by blockchain company Tezos, an agreement reportedly worth around £20 million per year.

The Financial Conduct Authority recently sent letters to clubs, reminding them of the trust fans place in their club badges.

Lucy Castledine, director of the Financial Conduct Authority, said: "They must not allow unauthorised financial firms to exploit this loyalty to peddle potentially harmful products to millions of fans."

"A logo on a shirt says only one thing – that the company has paid for it."

In 2024, the Gambling Commission initiated proceedings in Birmingham Magistrates' Court, claiming Sorare was providing gambling services without an operating licence. The case is scheduled to be heard in June next year.

Sorare denies any wrongdoing, arguing that its game is based on skill rather than chance, and therefore should not fall under gambling regulation.

This summer, the Financial Conduct Authority warned that football fans are being targeted by unauthorised crypto firms and traders who reach them through club sponsorship deals.

Sorare said yesterday evening: "We cannot comment on the freezing order. However, we want to clarify that our contract with the Premier League expired at the end of its term (the 2024-25 season).

"Regarding the Gambling Commission's proceedings, we categorically deny any assertion that Sorare is a gambling product under UK law. The Commission misunderstands our business and mistakenly believes that the relevant laws apply to Sorare. We cannot provide further comment while proceedings are ongoing."

There are currently no signs of wrongdoing by the Premier League.

The Premier League declined to comment on the freezing order.

Latest accounts for the period ending 31 July 2025 show that Premier League assets exceed £1.5 billion. Its charitable contributions totalled £56.6 million.

Переведено ИИ.

Сайт AF теперь доступен! Читайте полные новости, комментарии, детали матчей и статистику на компьютере. Посетите: www.allfootballapp.com