BRITAINâS FBI has frozen ÂŁ10million of Premier League cash as it probes alleged criminality involving a crypto partner fronted by Lionel Messi.
The National Crime Agency is investigating Sorare amid claims of unlicensed gambling.
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Sorare, which runs a digital card game backed by Messi and other stars such as Kylian Mbappé, denies any wrongdoing.
The ÂŁ120million, four-year deal with crypto-gaming firm Sorare was unveiled with a fanfare of publicity in 2023.
But it was terminated at the end of last season as the firm came under investigation in the UK.
We can reveal the National Crime Agency obtained an order from Westminster magistratesâ court in January 2025 freezing ÂŁ10million under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
It is understood the sum was the first down payment made by Sorare as part of its ÂŁ30million-a-year deal.
It was held in the Barclays account of the Premier Leagueâs management company.
An NCA spokesperson confirmed the freezing order on funds totalling ÂŁ10,024,041.33 in the name of The Football Association Premier League Limited.
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They added: âThe purpose of the order is to prevent dissipation of the funds while the NCA investigates any potential links between those funds and alleged third-party criminality.â
The Premier League is going to court on Monday in a bid to vary the terms of the order, which runs to September 14.
Sorare runs a fantasy sports digital card game, also subject to a prosecution by the Gambling Commission. âManagersâ build virtual teams with cards depicting real players. They take part in tournaments with results based on real-world performances.
Announcing the 2023 deal, the Prem said âit will provide fans with another way to connect with their favourite clubs and playersâ. It gave Sorare rights to release digital cards of players from all 20 teams. In turn, clubs were due to get payments from the Premier League based on player card usage.
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The Prem website listed Sorare among its partners. It named investors, ambassadors and advisers to Sorare as Messi â who retired from internationals yesterday â Zinedine Zidane, Kylian MbappĂ©, Rio Ferdinand, plus tennis star Serena Williams.
The blurb said Sorare was valued at ÂŁ3.21billion.
Founded in 2018, it was initially a crypto-only marketplace. Users connected wallets and used cryptocurrencies such as Ether or Solana to trade cards.
In August 2023, Sorare officially allowed cash transactions.
In 2024, the Gambling Commission launched its prosecution at Birmingham magistratesâ court. It accuses Sorare of providing facilities for gambling without an operating licence. A trial is due next June.
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Sorare denies any illegality and says its game is based on skill rather than luck, so should not be subject to betting regulations.
This summer, the Financial Conduct Authority warned football fans were targeted by unauthorised crypto firms and traders obtaining sponsorship deals with clubs.
Sorare said last night: âWe cannot comment on the story regarding the freezing order. We would however like to clarify that our contract with the Premier League expired at the end of its term (season 2025-2026).
âAs for the Gambling Commissionâs prosecution, we firmly deny any claims Sorare is a gambling product under UK laws. The Commission has misunderstood our business and wrongly determined the laws apply to Sorare. We cannot comment further whilst legal proceedings are under way.â
There is no suspicion of any wrongdoing by the Premier League.
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It declined to comment about the freezing order.
Latest filed accounts for the year to July 31, 2025, show it has more than ÂŁ1.5billion. It made charitable donations of ÂŁ56.6million.
The National Crime Agency is investigating Sorare amid claims of unlicensed gambling.
Advertisement
Sorare, which runs a digital card game backed by Messi and other stars such as Kylian Mbappé, denies any wrongdoing.
The ÂŁ120million, four-year deal with crypto-gaming firm Sorare was unveiled with a fanfare of publicity in 2023.
But it was terminated at the end of last season as the firm came under investigation in the UK.
We can reveal the National Crime Agency obtained an order from Westminster magistratesâ court in January 2025 freezing ÂŁ10million under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
It is understood the sum was the first down payment made by Sorare as part of its ÂŁ30million-a-year deal.
It was held in the Barclays account of the Premier Leagueâs management company.
An NCA spokesperson confirmed the freezing order on funds totalling ÂŁ10,024,041.33 in the name of The Football Association Premier League Limited.
Advertisement
They added: âThe purpose of the order is to prevent dissipation of the funds while the NCA investigates any potential links between those funds and alleged third-party criminality.â
The Premier League is going to court on Monday in a bid to vary the terms of the order, which runs to September 14.
Sorare runs a fantasy sports digital card game, also subject to a prosecution by the Gambling Commission. âManagersâ build virtual teams with cards depicting real players. They take part in tournaments with results based on real-world performances.
Announcing the 2023 deal, the Prem said âit will provide fans with another way to connect with their favourite clubs and playersâ. It gave Sorare rights to release digital cards of players from all 20 teams. In turn, clubs were due to get payments from the Premier League based on player card usage.
Advertisement
The Prem website listed Sorare among its partners. It named investors, ambassadors and advisers to Sorare as Messi â who retired from internationals yesterday â Zinedine Zidane, Kylian MbappĂ©, Rio Ferdinand, plus tennis star Serena Williams.
The blurb said Sorare was valued at ÂŁ3.21billion.
Founded in 2018, it was initially a crypto-only marketplace. Users connected wallets and used cryptocurrencies such as Ether or Solana to trade cards.
In August 2023, Sorare officially allowed cash transactions.
In 2024, the Gambling Commission launched its prosecution at Birmingham magistratesâ court. It accuses Sorare of providing facilities for gambling without an operating licence. A trial is due next June.
Advertisement
Sorare denies any illegality and says its game is based on skill rather than luck, so should not be subject to betting regulations.
This summer, the Financial Conduct Authority warned football fans were targeted by unauthorised crypto firms and traders obtaining sponsorship deals with clubs.
Sorare said last night: âWe cannot comment on the story regarding the freezing order. We would however like to clarify that our contract with the Premier League expired at the end of its term (season 2025-2026).
âAs for the Gambling Commissionâs prosecution, we firmly deny any claims Sorare is a gambling product under UK laws. The Commission has misunderstood our business and wrongly determined the laws apply to Sorare. We cannot comment further whilst legal proceedings are under way.â
There is no suspicion of any wrongdoing by the Premier League.
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It declined to comment about the freezing order.
Latest filed accounts for the year to July 31, 2025, show it has more than ÂŁ1.5billion. It made charitable donations of ÂŁ56.6million.
