Financial services regulator warns of risks of partnerships between football clubs and unregulated digital asset companies

8 June 2026

The Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") has issued a letter to Premier League ("PL") clubs, warning of the significant legal, operational, and reputational risks associated with sponsorship arrangements involving unauthorised cryptocurrency exchanges and trading platforms. While football clubs themselves are not regulated by the FCA, the regulator’s intervention is the latest indication of a heightened focus on the intersection between football and financial services, particularly where clubs may inadvertently facilitate unlawful activity or expose themselves to criminal liability. As we noted in our previous briefing (available here), the FCA's warning follows closely after it agreed formal cooperation and information sharing arrangements with the Independent Football Regulator ("IFR").

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