More than £10 million in Premier League accounts will stay frozen while international law enforcement investigates its former digital fantasy football partner.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) and Luxembourg authorities are investigating French company Sorare.com, which previously held a licence to trade digital Premier League player cards.
In January last year, the NCA secured a court order to freeze £10,024,041.33 held by the league.
Westminster Magistrates’ Court granted a four-month extension on Friday following a request from the NCA, shortly before the previous order expired.
District Judge Sam Goozee said: "The freezing of accounts is necessary and proportionate to prevent dissipation of funds which are suspected to be the fruits of criminal conduct and enable proper investigation by the authorities."
He found no suggestion that the league “themselves engaged in unlawful conduct”, and said it had expected Sorare to act lawfully within the terms of the licence agreement.
The Premier League knew in October 2021 that the Gambling Commission was scrutinising Sorare after a statement appeared on the regulator’s website.
Inquiries focused on whether the firm’s services constituted gambling, requiring an official operating licence.
Court proceedings heard that the league subsequently met with Sorare and received a summary of its legal advice.
Judge Goozee said: "In summary the conclusion of that legal opinion was that Sorare believes that its contests are not a form of gambling.
"The summary of the legal opinion it received clearly states that ‘it should not be relied upon by any third party’."
He later added that the advice would “clearly would have been self-serving to Sorare”.
The judge told the court: “In view of the millions of pounds which was at stake and a public announcement by a gambling regulatory body that Sorare was not licensed, and meant activity being completed on the site by consumers in Great Britain may be outside of the gambling regulations that a licensed operator should comply with, one might question why they did not seek their own legal opinion to protect their interests.”
In January 2023, the Premier League agreed a £120 million four-year contract with Sorare.
The league stated the collectible digital cards provided fans "a new way to feel closer to the Premier League whether they are watching in the stadium or from around the world".
Around 18 months later, Sorare informed the league it faced three Gambling Commission charges for operating unlicensed gambling facilities, with trial set for June 2027.
Addressing the court, the judge said: "I find on the NCA evidence that Sorare’s activities have continued in Great Britain since the date of the charges.
"The Premier League continued to receive funds into the account until June 2025."
