FCA Warns Premier League Clubs Over Risky Crypto Sponsorship Deals

Highlights:

• FCA warns Premier League clubs to review deals with unauthorized crypto and trading firms.
• Regulator says weak sponsor checks can expose clubs to legal and money laundering risks.
• FCA says unregulated firms may use trusted football clubs to target loyal fans.

Britain’s financial regulator has warned Premier League clubs and other soccer teams over sponsorship deals with unauthorized crypto firms and trading platforms. Reuters reported on Wednesday that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) raised concerns about clubs promoting firms that may not be allowed to offer financial services in the UK.

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The warning comes as crypto and trading companies continue to use sports sponsorships to reach large audiences. The FCA said some unauthorized firms may be using high-profile football partnerships to target fans, even though they are not approved to operate in Britain.

The regulator has written to Premier League clubs and other football organizations. It asked them to carry out stronger checks on existing and future sponsorship deals. The FCA said these deals could expose clubs to legal liability, money laundering risks, and reputational damage if they involve unauthorized firms.

UK FCA: Football Clubs Face Legal and Money Laundering Risks From Unauthorized Crypto Sponsors

Reuters reported that the UK Financial Conduct Authority warned Premier League and other football clubs that sponsorship deals with unauthorized crypto firms and trading platforms… pic.twitter.com/3AmIjUvlvx

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) June 3, 2026

FCA Raises Concerns Over Fan Protection

The FCA said football clubs have a strong relationship with their fans. Because of that trust, the regulator believes clubs need to be careful about the companies they promote through shirts, stadium boards, digital campaigns, or other commercial deals.

Lucy Castledine, the FCA’s director of consumer investments, said millions of football fans trust their club’s badge. She warned that clubs should not allow unauthorized financial firms to use that loyalty to place risky products in front of supporters. The regulator also said it had already contacted clubs where it found concerns. It added that it would take action where needed.

The FCA’s main concern is that fans may believe a company is safe because it appears alongside a trusted football club. However, if the company is not regulated in the UK, customers may not receive the same protections they would get from approved financial firms.

The FCA warned that people who use unregulated firms could lose all their money. It also said they are unlikely to have access to regulatory protections if something goes wrong.

Crypto Sponsorships Face More Scrutiny

Crypto sponsorships have become more visible across global sports in recent years. Football clubs often use these deals to increase commercial income, while crypto firms use them to build brand awareness. However, regulators have become more cautious as more retail users enter crypto markets. The FCA has already taken a strict approach to crypto promotions in the UK. It wants financial promotions to be clear, fair, and not misleading for consumers.

Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said sponsorship income is important for the industry. However, she added that fans deserve to know that companies linked with their clubs are “responsible, accountable and safe to use.”

Commercial Deals Remain Important for Clubs

Reuters noted that sponsorship and commercial deals have become a major source of income for football clubs. The deals have even become the main income source for some clubs over broadcasting. Manchester City had commercial income of 408 million euros (about $475 million) last year, according to Deloitte figures cited by Reuters. That’s more than the club’s 332 million euros worth of broadcast revenue.

However, the FCA warning does not prevent clubs from working with crypto companies. But it’s clear that football clubs will have to find out if their partners meet UK criteria. Clubs may need to re-evaluate their crypto-related partnerships before entering into or renewing partnerships. 

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