LONDON, June 3, 2026 — The UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has warned football clubs about sponsorship arrangements involving unauthorized financial firms, including crypto businesses and trading platforms, saying such relationships could expose supporters to financial harm and create legal, compliance, and reputational risks for clubs.
The regulator said a number of unauthorized firms are using football sponsorships to target consumers despite not being authorized to provide financial services in the United Kingdom. According to the FCA, consumers who use such firms risk losing their money and may not have access to regulatory protections if problems arise.
The FCA said it has written directly to football clubs, primarily in the Premier League, to raise concerns about relationships with unauthorized firms and to remind clubs of their responsibilities toward supporters.
Lucy Castledine, Director of Consumer Investments at the FCA, said football clubs should not allow unauthorized financial firms to exploit supporters’ loyalty by promoting financial products through club sponsorships.
Unauthorized financial sponsorship arrangements
The FCA said a number of unauthorized firms, including crypto businesses and trading platforms, are using sponsorship agreements to target football supporters.
According to the regulator, firms that provide financial services in the United Kingdom without authorization may be breaching UK financial services laws. The FCA warned that consumers who engage with such firms could lose all of their money and may not have access to regulatory protections if things go wrong.
The regulator encouraged consumers to verify the status of financial services firms through its Firm Checker before using their products or services.
Due diligence obligations for football clubs
The FCA said sponsorship agreements with unauthorized financial services firms can create risks beyond consumer harm, including potential legal liability, money laundering concerns, and reputational damage for clubs.
The regulator stated that football clubs are expected to conduct proper due diligence on financial services sponsors before entering sponsorship arrangements and to continue assessing those relationships on an ongoing basis.
The FCA added that it has already engaged directly with clubs where concerns have been identified and said it will take action where necessary.
Financial promotion requirements in the UK
The FCA noted that firms generally must be authorized by the regulator, or have their financial promotions approved by an authorized firm, before marketing financial products or services to consumers in the United Kingdom.
The regulator also maintains a public Warning List that identifies firms operating without authorization or that may be targeting UK consumers unlawfully.
Regulatory coordination across the football sector
The FCA said it is working with the UK government and external stakeholders, including the Premier League and the Independent Football Regulator, to address concerns related to sponsorship arrangements across the sport.
UK Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock said sponsorship agreements play an important role in supporting football clubs but that supporters should be confident that companies associated with their clubs are responsible, accountable, and safe to use.
