The UK's equivalent of the FBI has frozen £10 million in Premier League funding following a criminal investigation into crypto partnerships endorsed by Messi.

The National Crime Agency (NCA) is investigating Sorare, which has been accused of operating an unlicensed gambling facility.

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

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

However, the partnership ended at the conclusion of last season due to the company being under investigation in the UK.

We can reveal that the NCA obtained a court 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 advance payment made by Sorare as part of an annual deal worth £30 million.

The funds were held in the Premier League's Barclays bank account.

An NCA spokesperson confirmed that the court ordered the freezing of £10,024,041.33 registered 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 whilst the NCA investigates possible links between these funds and criminal activity by accused third parties."

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

Sorare operates a fantasy sports digital card game. "Managers" create virtual teams using cards featuring real players and compete in matches where outcomes are determined by real-world performance.

When announcing the partnership in 2023, the Premier League said it would "provide another way for fans to connect with the clubs and players they love." The deal gave Sorare the rights to issue digital cards of players from all 20 Premier League clubs. In return, clubs received a share of the Premier League's payments based on card usage.

The Premier League website previously listed Sorare as a partner and named Messi, Seedorf, Mbappé, Rio Ferdinand, and tennis player 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 and initially operated solely as a digital asset marketplace. Users connected wallets to trade cards using digital currencies like Ethereum or Solana.

In August 2023, Sorare officially enabled cash transactions.

Digital currency businesses are attracting football fans and converting them into customers by entering the football market.

Chelsea FC announced last week that Circle would be its new main shirt sponsor.

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

Cryptocurrency exchange OKX has a £55 million annual partnership with Manchester City FC, and the company's logo appears on the sleeves of players including Haaland.

Meanwhile, the Kraken logo appears on the sleeves of Porro and all Tottenham Hotspur FC players.

Manchester United FC's training kit is sponsored by blockchain company Tezos, a deal reportedly worth approximately £20 million per year.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) recently wrote to clubs to warn them about the trust fans place in their club brands.

FCA director Lucy Castledine stated: "They should not allow unauthorised financial firms to exploit that loyalty to bring potentially problematic products to millions of fans.

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

In 2024, the Gambling Commission began court proceedings in Birmingham Magistrates' Court, alleging that Sorare offered gambling facilities without a license. The case is scheduled for trial in June next year.

Sorare denies any wrongdoing, stating that 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 are being targeted by unauthorised crypto firms and traders who gain access through club sponsorship deals.

Sorare stated last night: "We cannot comment on the freezing order. However, we wish to clarify that our contract with the Premier League expired at the end of the contract period (2025-26 season).

"Regarding the Gambling Commission proceedings, we strongly deny any allegations that Sorare is a gambling product under UK law. The Commission has misunderstood our business and misapplied the relevant law to Sorare. We cannot comment further while legal proceedings are ongoing."

There is currently no suggestion of wrongdoing by the Premier League.

The Premier League declined to comment on the freezing order.

The latest financial statements as of July 31, 2025 show the Premier League's assets exceed £1.5 billion. Their charitable donations totalled £56.6 million.

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