The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has frozen approximately £10.02 million ($13.6 million) from a sponsorship payment made by Sorare, the NFT-based fantasy football platform, to the Premier League. The freezing order was obtained at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in January 2025 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
The frozen money corresponds to the first installment of a four-year sponsorship deal signed in 2023 and reported to be worth around $140 million. The agreement was terminated at the end of last season. Investigators have not accused the Premier League of wrongdoing; the probe is focusing on potential links between the funds and alleged crimes involving third parties.
A National Crime Agency spokesperson said the order aims to prevent the dissipation of funds while the NCA investigates possible links between those funds and alleged crimes by third parties. The exact nature of the alleged offences has not been disclosed.
Wider regulatory scrutiny
The case is part of increasing regulatory attention on crypto-related football sponsorships. The Financial Conduct Authority has previously warned Premier League clubs that partnerships with unauthorized crypto companies could breach financial services legislation.
Separate gambling charges
In a separate legal matter, the UK Gambling Commission charged Sorare in September 2024 with providing gambling facilities without a licence. This was the first action against a blockchain-based platform under the Gambling Act 2005. Sorare denies wrongdoing and maintains that its fantasy sports game is based on skill rather than chance. The platform initially operated exclusively with cryptocurrencies such as ETH and SOL before allowing cash transactions in August 2023.
The Premier League has requested modifications to the freezing order, which remains in force until September 14. The outcomes of the freezing order review and the gambling case could shape the future regulation of NFT-based gaming and sports sponsorship deals in the United Kingdom.
