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In early June 2026, the British National Crime Agency (NCA) blocked a bank transfer of £10,024,041.33 (approximately $13.5 million). The payment was made by Sorare, a company engaged in blockchain games and digital collectible cards, to The Football Association Premier League Limited, which manages the English Premier League. The freeze was authorized by the Westminster Magistrates’ Court back in January 2025, but it has only recently become public knowledge thanks to the British press.

According to the NCA, the measure is needed to prevent the money from being withdrawn before the investigation is completed — they are checking whether it is linked to possible illegal activities by third parties. The Premier League itself is not under suspicion: its management has already submitted a petition to review or lift the restriction, which is in effect until 14 September 2026. The government agency’s intervention in the commercial deal between the crypto firm and one of the most prestigious football tournaments caused a great stir.

This transfer was the first installment under the licensing agreement between Sorare and the Premier League, signed in 2023. The total amount of the four‑year contract is approximately 120 million pounds. Sorare received the right to produce digital cards featuring players from all twenty clubs in the elite division; the cooperation covered the seasons up to 2025/26. For a company with a market capitalization of 1.21 billion pounds, the partnership was a key step in expanding beyond the crypto ecosystem.

Sorare was founded in 2018 and started as a platform on Ethereum. Later, it added fiat payments via Cash Wallet, and at the end of 2025, it moved its assets to Solana, with settlements in SOL. Among its ambassadors are Messi, Mbappé, Zidane, Ferdinand, and Serena Williams, but this did not protect the company from regulatory scrutiny.

Lawyer Nick Brett from Brett Wilson explained that such orders are issued by judges based on applications and are of a civil nature, not criminal. The origin of the blocked funds may be linked to transactions through the platform or to other sources, so the order does not prove that the actions were illegal. However, the reputational risks for all parties remain high.

In addition to the NCA, Sorare is being pressured by the Gambling Commission: it accuses the company of operating without a licence in the UK, which violates the Gambling Act 2005. The hearing is scheduled for June 7, 2027, at the Birmingham Magistrates’ Court. Sorare rejects the claims, stating that the game is based on knowledge and analytics, not on chance.

Chris Roberts from Grosvenor Law noted that the authorities are strengthening control at the intersection of gambling and digital assets, regardless of the company’s scale. As the amounts grow, the risk of freezes increases, as the state wants to protect itself from losses. The Sorare case may set a precedent for stricter scrutiny of sponsorship payments from the crypto industry.

On June 3, 2026, the FCA sent warnings to football clubs about the risks of cooperating with unauthorized financial and crypto firms. Later, it turned out that 21 clubs received the letters, and an analysis revealed 18 sponsorship agreements involving 13 clubs and companies without FCA permission. The absence of a license does not in itself prove violations, but it should raise concerns.

Lucy Castledine, FCA’s Director of Consumer Investment, stated that clubs should not allow unauthorized entities to exploit fans’ trust to promote risky products. Her statement that “the logo on the jersey only tells you who paid for its placement” was quoted in the sports press. This comes amid reports that Circle is partnering with Chelsea, OKX with Manchester City, and Kraken with Tottenham. Now, such contracts may come under close scrutiny from regulators.