UK law enforcement has secured a freeze order on $13.6 million held in a Premier League bank account at Barclays, following a National Crime Agency request granted by Westminster magistrates' court in January 2025. The funds represent the initial payment from a multi-year sponsorship agreement with Sorare, a cryptocurrency-based fantasy football platform.
The $13.6 million constitutes the first installment of a four-year sponsorship deal valued at approximately $163 million. Under the partnership, which began in January 2023 and was scheduled to run through the 2025-26 season, Sorare held rights to create digital player cards representing all 20 Premier League teams, with individual clubs compensated based on card usage frequency.
The National Crime Agency invoked the Proceeds of Crime Act to prevent dissipation of the assets while investigating potential links to alleged third-party criminality. The Premier League has not been accused of wrongdoing and is challenging the freeze order.
Sorare contested elements of reporting around the matter, stating it is not under investigation by the National Crime Agency and does not own the frozen account. The company also clarified that the Premier League partnership concluded naturally upon contract expiration.
Separate Gambling Allegations
Sorare faces distinct legal proceedings initiated by the UK Gambling Commission, which formally accused the platform in September 2024 of operating gambling services without required licensing under the Gambling Act 2005. Sorare submitted not-guilty pleas at Birmingham magistrates' court in October 2024, with a hearing initially scheduled for June 2026 now postponed to June 2027.
The company maintains it does not operate as a gambling service under British law and intends to contest the allegations.
Regulatory Warnings
The Financial Conduct Authority issued written notices to Premier League clubs in June 2026 cautioning that commercial arrangements with unlicensed cryptocurrency entities could violate financial services regulations. The regulator advised clubs against allowing unauthorized financial firms to present potentially risky products to supporters.
