The UK's equivalent of the FBI has frozen £10 million of Premier League funds as they investigate suspected criminal activity linked to a cryptocurrency partner endorsed by Messi.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is investigating Sorare, which is accused of operating unlicensed gambling operations.

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

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

However, with the company now under investigation in the UK, the partnership ended at the conclusion of last season.

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

The funds are understood to be the first instalment payment by Sorare as part of a £30 million annual deal.

The money was held in Barclays bank accounts belonging to the Premier League's management company.

An NCA spokesperson confirmed that the court ordered the freezing of £10,024,041.33, registered under the name The Football Association Premier League Limited.

The spokesperson added: "The purpose of this order is to prevent the transfer of funds while the NCA investigates a possible link between this money and the alleged criminal conduct of a third party."

The Premier League will appear in court on Monday to attempt to modify the terms of the order, which is currently set to remain in place until September 14.

Sorare operates a fantasy digital sports card game and currently faces prosecution from the Gambling Commission. "Managers" build virtual teams using cards featuring real players and compete in games where results are determined by real-world player performance.

When announcing the partnership in 2023, the Premier League stated it "will provide another way for fans to connect with their favourite clubs and players." The deal gave Sorare the rights to issue digital player cards for all 20 clubs. In return, clubs would receive a share of Premier League revenues based on the usage of their player cards.

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

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

The company was founded in 2018, initially focusing solely on the cryptocurrency trading market. Users connected their wallets and traded cards using cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum or Solana.

In August 2023, Sorare officially permitted fiat currency trading.

Cryptocurrency businesses are attracting fans and converting them into customers by partnering with football clubs.

Chelsea announced last week that Circle will be their new shirt sponsor.

It is the first cryptocurrency company to secure a main shirt sponsorship deal with a Premier League club, with players like João Félix now appearing in kits bearing the logo.

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

Meanwhile, Kraken's logo appears on the arms of Christensen and across Tottenham's entire squad.

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

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently wrote to clubs, reminding them of the trust fans place in their badges.

Lucy Castledine, head of the FCA's retail investments division, said: "They should not allow unlicensed financial companies to exploit that loyalty and push potentially harmful products to millions of supporters.

"A logo on a shirt sends a message – this company has paid for it."

In 2024, the Gambling Commission filed a case at Birmingham Magistrates' Court, alleging that Sorare was providing gambling services without an operating licence. The case is expected to go to trial in June.

Sorare denies any wrongdoing and claims its game is based on skill rather than chance, and therefore should not be subject to gambling regulations.

This summer, the FCA warned that football fans were being targeted by unlicensed cryptocurrency companies and traders approaching fans through club sponsorship deals.

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

"Regarding the Gambling Commission's prosecution, we firmly deny any suggestion that Sorare falls within the definition of a gambling product under UK law. The Commission has misunderstood our business operations and wrongly asserted that relevant legislation applies to Sorare. We cannot comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing."

There are currently no suggestions of any wrongdoing by the Premier League.

The Premier League declined to comment on the freezing order.

The latest accounts to July 31, 2025 show the Premier League's assets exceed £1.5 billion. Their charitable contributions totalled £56.6 million.

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