Britain's national crime agency has frozen £10 million in Premier League funds while investigating alleged criminal offences related to a cryptocurrency partner backed by Messi.

The National Crime Agency is investigating Sorare, which faces allegations of operating unlicensed gambling.

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

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

However, the partnership ended last season after the company came under investigation in the UK.

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

The money is understood to be the first instalment payment from Sorare's annual £30 million contract.

The funds are held in a Barclays bank account belonging to Premier League Management Company.

An NCA spokesperson confirmed that the court ordered the freezing of a total of £10,024,041.33 held in the name of The Football Association Premier League Limited.

The spokesperson added: "The purpose of this order is to prevent the movement of funds while the NCA investigates the possible connection between this money and alleged criminal activity by a third party."

The Premier League will attend court on Monday seeking to vary the terms of the order, which is due to remain in place until September 14.

Sorare operates a fantasy sports digital card game where "managers" build virtual teams using cards of real players, with wins and losses determined by actual match results.

When announcing the 2023 partnership, the Premier League said it would "provide fans with another way to engage with their favourite clubs and players." The contract granted Sorare the right to issue digital cards of players from all 20 teams, with clubs receiving revenue share based on card usage.

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

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

The company was founded in 2018 and initially focused solely on the cryptocurrency trading market. Users connect their wallets and trade cards using cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum or Solana.

In August 2023, Sorare officially introduced cash trading.

Cryptocurrency companies are expanding into the football market, attracting fans and converting them into customers.

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

It is the first cryptocurrency company to secure a major Premier League shirt sponsorship deal, with players including João Félix already pictured wearing the logo.

Cryptocurrency exchange OKX holds a £55 million annual partnership with Manchester City, with its logo appearing on sleeves worn by players including Haaland.

Meanwhile, Kraken's logo appears on the sleeves of both Porto and Tottenham Hotspur players.

Manchester United's training kit is sponsored by blockchain company Tezos, a deal understood to be worth around £20 million annually.

The Financial Conduct Authority recently wrote to clubs reminding them of the trust fans place in club emblems.

FCA director Shelley Channon said: "They must not allow unauthorised financial companies to exploit this loyalty by marketing potentially problematic products to millions of fans."

"A logo on a shirt means one thing and one thing only — that company has paid money."

In 2024, the Gambling Commission filed a case at Birmingham Magistrates' Court alleging that Sorare provided gambling facilities without an operating licence. The case is scheduled for trial in June next year.

Sorare denies any wrongdoing and argues that its games are based on skill rather than chance, and therefore should not be subject to gambling regulation.

This summer, the FCA warned that football fans are being targeted by unauthorised cryptocurrency companies and traders using club sponsorship deals to gain access to supporters.

Sorare said last night: "We cannot comment on the freezing order. However, we want to clarify that our contract with the Premier League has expired as the contract term (2025-2026 season) has ended."

"Regarding the Gambling Commission proceedings, we strongly deny any suggestion that Sorare constitutes a gambling product under UK law. The Commission has misunderstood our business and incorrectly determined that relevant legislation applies to Sorare. We cannot comment further as legal proceedings are ongoing."

There are currently no allegations of wrongdoing against the Premier League.

The Premier League declined to comment on the freezing order.

According to the latest reports as of July 31, 2025, the Premier League's assets exceed £1.5 billion. Charitable donations totalled £56.6 million.

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