The U.K.’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has frozen more than £10 million ($13.5 million) held by the Premier League, according to reports.
The freezing order was obtained from Westminster Magistrates’ Court in January 2025 under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The Sun reported Tuesday that the funds are understood to relate to the first payment made by Sorare under its $140 million, four-year partnership agreement with the Premier League, signed in 2023.
The partnership was terminated at the end of last season. There is no suspicion of wrongdoing by the Premier League.
“The 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,” an NCA spokesperson said in a statement via email.
The agency did not specify which crime it is investigating. Neither the Premier League nor Sorare responded to CoinDesk’s request for further comment.
U.K. regulators increase scrutiny of crypto football partnerships
The asset freeze comes as U.K. regulators tighten their scrutiny of cryptocurrency sponsorship deals in football. The Financial Conduct Authority has warned Premier League clubs that partnerships with unauthorized crypto firms could breach financial services laws.
