National Crime Agency freezes £10m in Premier League account

The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has frozen over £10 million ($13.6 million) held in a Barclays bank account belonging to The Football Association Premier League Limited. The order was obtained from Westminster Magistrates' Court in January 2025 under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The frozen funds represent the first installment of a four-year sponsorship agreement with Sorare, a crypto-based fantasy sports and digital card platform. The partnership, announced in January 2023, allowed Sorare to issue digital player cards for all 20 Premier League clubs. While media reports estimated the deal's total value at approximately £120 million, the exact terms were not officially disclosed.

The NCA stated the freeze is intended to “prevent dissipation of the funds while the NCA investigates any potential links between those funds and alleged third-party criminality.” Authorities have clarified that the Premier League itself is not under investigation and there is no suggestion of wrongdoing by the league. Separately, Sorare faces a prosecution by the Gambling Commission regarding allegations of operating without a license, with a trial scheduled for next June.