The FCA has warned Premier League clubs that crypto sponsorship deals with unauthorised firms bring risk and expose clubs to legal trouble.
Britain’s financial watchdog has put football clubs on notice. The Financial Conduct Authority issued a formal warning on Wednesday. It targets clubs in the Premier League and beyond.
The regulator says sponsorship deals with unauthorised crypto firms and trading platforms are a growing problem. Fans, the FCA warns, could lose everything.
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FCA Takes Direct Action on Unauthorised Crypto Sponsors
The FCA wrote directly to Premier League clubs and others raising concerns.
According to the regulator, several unauthorised firms, including crypto businesses and trading platforms, are using sponsorships to reach football fans. These firms may be breaking UK financial services laws. They are offering financial services in the country without the required authorisation.
Lucy Castledine, the FCA’s director of consumer investments, addressed the issue directly.
“Millions of football fans trust their club’s badge,” she said.
She added that clubs should not allow unauthorised firms to exploit that trust.
The FCA also noted that a logo on a shirt only confirms that a firm paid for placement. It says nothing about whether that firm is safe or legal.
The regulator pointed fans to its Firm Checker tool. Any firm offering financial services should appear on that list. If it does not, the FCA says fans have little to no protection if things go wrong.
UK regulator warns Premier League clubs over crypto sponsor deals https://t.co/clhhikybnY https://t.co/clhhikybnY pic.twitter.com/0wHg21kI6j
— Reuters UK (@ReutersUK) June 2, 2026
Legal and Financial Risks Now Fall on the Clubs
The FCA made it clear that the risks extend beyond fans.
According to the regulator, clubs that sign deals with unauthorised financial services firms could face legal liability. Money laundering exposure and serious reputational damage are also on the table.
The FCA expects every UK football club to carry out proper due diligence before signing any financial services sponsor. That scrutiny should also continue after signing, on an ongoing basis.
Where the FCA has already flagged concerns, it says it has spoken to the relevant clubs directly. It also confirmed that further action will follow where necessary.
The regulator is also working with the government, the Premier League, and the Independent Football Regulator to address the issue across the sport.
Sports minister Stephanie Peacock weighed in as well. She noted that sponsorship income is critical for clubs. But fans, she said, deserve assurance that associated companies are responsible and safe.
Crypto Deals Flood Football as Commercial Revenue Grows
Sponsorship has become a dominant revenue stream for top clubs.
Deloitte data shows Manchester City generated 408 million euros in commercial revenue in 2025. That figure surpassed the club’s broadcast income of 332 million euros for the same period.
With those numbers, the financial appeal of landing a big-name sponsor, including crypto platforms, is hard to ignore.
That financial pull is part of what concerns the FCA. The higher the commercial stakes, the more attractive football clubs become to firms looking for visibility.
Unauthorised firms have used that dynamic to gain high-profile exposure. They reach millions of fans through kits, stadium branding, and digital campaigns, all without meeting UK regulatory standards.
The FCA’s warning signals a tightening of expectations. Clubs can no longer treat sponsorship as purely a commercial decision. Regulatory checks are now part of the responsibility.
