Premier League clubs face FCA warning over crypto sponsorship deals in UK

Traders Union
All News
Financial News
Premier League FCA crypto warning

Highlights

FCA warns Premier League clubs of possible enforcement action for accepting sponsorship from crypto and trading firms not authorised to operate in the UK.
Recent partnerships, such as Chelsea with BingX and Manchester City with OKX, involve companies absent from the FCA register, while Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are linked to FCA warning-listed sponsors.
From the 2026-27 season, clubs will stop displaying gambling brands on shirt fronts due to UK licensing rules, increasing pressure to reassess sponsorship compliance and reputational risks.

FCA flags unauthorised sponsorship risks

As first reported by Financial Times, the Financial Conduct Authority has written to Premier League men’s clubs saying they risk enforcement action if they accept sponsorship money from crypto and trading companies that are not authorised to operate in the UK.

The regulator says it has seen an increase in partnerships between football clubs and unauthorised firms, some of which appear to be operating unlawfully. In a letter written by Fiona Mackinnon-Miller, head of the FCA department overseeing scams, promotions and consumer investments, she says such deals risk conferring legitimacy on those firms and may expose UK consumers to harm.

Mackinnon-Miller also warns that money received from an unauthorised firm may constitute criminal property. She says clubs should understand the source of sponsorship funds and consider whether such arrangements expose them to financial crime and reputational risks.

The FCA does not name the specific clubs or deals under review, but it says it has contacted clubs where it has particular concerns. It also writes to all top-tier clubs and to the Premier League about its concerns over crypto sponsorship.

Football finance model faces wider compliance pressure

Crypto companies have become frequent sponsors of leading football teams in recent years as they try to reach millions of supporters and encourage trading in digital tokens. Recent examples named in the report include Chelsea’s extended sponsorship agreement with BingX in April and Manchester City’s shirtsleeve deal with OKX, with both companies absent from the FCA register of authorised firms.

Newcastle United is partnered with VT Markets, a trading company offering foreign exchange and commodities products, and the firm has appeared on the FCA warning list of unauthorised firms since 2023. LAK3 Company sponsored Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 2024-25 season and is also on the warning list, while Wolves are relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2025-26 season.

The FCA’s move comes after the government says in February that Premier League clubs could be banned from accepting sponsorship from gambling companies that do not hold a UK licence. From the 2026-27 season, clubs have already agreed to stop displaying gambling brands on the front of their shirts, adding to pressure on teams to reassess the compliance and reputational risks tied to sponsorship revenue.

Our earlier report on U.S. sanctions targeting Iranian crypto exchanges detailed how authorities designated Nobitex and several other platforms, along with senior executives, over alleged links to sanctions evasion and regime-related financing. The article explained that the measures block U.S.-controlled property of the listed entities and signal sustained enforcement focus on digital-asset infrastructure viewed as enabling illicit financial flows.

This material may contain third-party opinions, none of the data and information on this webpage constitutes investment advice according to our Disclaimer. While we adhere to strict Editorial Integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners.