UK Crime Agency Freezes $13.5M in Premier League Funds Linked to Sorare

Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has frozen £10 million ($13.5 million) held in a Premier League bank account while investigating potential links between the funds and alleged third-party criminality. The money was reportedly paid by blockchain fantasy sports company Sorare under its former licensing agreement with the league.

The account-freezing order was obtained from Westminster Magistrates’ Court in January 2025, according to The Sun, which first reported the action. The measure prevents the money from being moved while the NCA investigates its potential links to alleged criminal activity involving third parties.

There is no allegation of wrongdoing by the Premier League.

Sorare Faces Separate UK Gambling Case

Sorare operates a fantasy sports platform where users collect and trade blockchain-based digital player cards and use them in competitions tied to athletes’ real-world performances.

The UK Gambling Commission charged Sorare in 2024 with providing gambling facilities to consumers in Britain without an operating licence. Sorare has denied that its product constitutes gambling under UK law. The case is scheduled for trial in June 2027.

The Premier League announced a four-year licensing agreement with Sorare in January 2023 covering digital player cards featuring players from all 20 clubs. The deal was reported to be worth about £120 million ($162 million) and ended after the 2025-26 season.

The Gambling Commission prosecution is separate from the NCA action. Publicly available information does not establish that the account-freezing order is based on the gambling case against Sorare.

UK Regulators Scrutinize Football Sponsorships

The freezing order comes amid broader scrutiny of financial and crypto companies associated with British football, although the Financial Conduct Authority’s actions are separate from the NCA investigation.

In June, the FCA said it had written to football clubs, mainly in the Premier League, about sponsorship relationships with financial firms that are not authorised to operate in the UK. The regulator said clubs should conduct due diligence before entering such agreements and continue monitoring sponsors afterward.

Crypto companies nevertheless maintain a significant presence in Premier League sponsorships. Circle, the issuer of the USDC stablecoin, became Chelsea’s front-of-shirt sponsor in August, while crypto exchange OKX has a sponsorship agreement with Manchester City.