TLDR
- British authorities secured a court order freezing $13.6 million in a Premier League account using anti-crime legislation
- The frozen funds represent the initial installment from Sorare’s multi-year partnership valued at approximately $163 million
- A gambling regulator has separately charged the crypto-based fantasy platform with operating without proper licensing
- No wrongdoing is alleged against the Premier League, which is challenging the freeze order through legal channels
- UK financial regulators have cautioned football clubs about partnerships with unregistered cryptocurrency companies
British law enforcement has secured control over $13.6 million deposited in a Premier League account, funds originating from Sorareāa blockchain-based fantasy football platform whose backers include global soccer icon Lionel Messi.
Westminster magistrates’ court granted the freeze order to the National Crime Agency in January 2025. Authorities invoked the Proceeds of Crime Act to restrict access to funds held in a Barclays account registered to The Football Association Premier League Limited.
According to the agency, the restriction aims “to prevent dissipation of the funds while the NCA investigates any potential links between those funds and alleged third-party criminality.”
No allegations of misconduct have been made against the Premier League itself. The organization has chosen not to provide public comment on the matter, initially disclosed by British tabloid The Sun.
The impounded $13.6 million constituted the opening payment of a four-year commercial agreement revealed in January 2023. Industry sources estimated the partnership’s value at roughly $41 million annually, bringing the total to $163 million across its duration.
The partnership granted Sorare rights to create digital collectible cards featuring players from all 20 Premier League teams. Individual clubs received compensation proportional to their players’ card utilization. The agreement was scheduled to conclude after the 2025-26 season.
Sorare Contests Media Reports
Sorare challenged certain aspects of The Sun’s coverage. A company representative informed Decrypt that Sorare is “not under investigation by the UK National Crime Agency.” The spokesperson further clarified that Sorare does not own the frozen account.
The company additionally verified that its Premier League agreement reached its natural expiration date and was not terminated due to investigative actions.
Unresolved Gambling Allegations
Separate legal proceedings initiated by the UK Gambling Commission continue against Sorare. In September 2024, the regulatory body formally charged the platform with operating gambling services without the required operating licence as mandated by the Gambling Act 2005.
This marked the initial enforcement action by the Gambling Commission targeting a blockchain-powered service. Sorare submitted three not-guilty pleas during October 2024 proceedings at Birmingham magistrates’ court.
The court date, initially scheduled for June 2026, has been rescheduled to June 2027.
Company officials maintain that Sorare “firmly” rejects classification as a gambling service under British legal frameworks and intends to mount a vigorous defense.
The Financial Conduct Authority has also intervened. During June 2026, the regulator contacted Premier League teams cautioning that commercial arrangements with unlicensed cryptocurrency entities could violate financial services regulations and endanger supporters.
The FCA’s director of consumer investments emphasized that clubs “should not let unauthorised financial firms exploit that loyalty by putting potentially dodgy products in front of millions of fans.”
Established in 2018, Sorare achieved a $4.3 billion valuation during a 2021 financing round spearheaded by SoftBank.
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