{
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  "desk": "drm3",
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  "published_at": "2026-09-01T17:22:38.000Z",
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    "headline": "UK NCA Freezes $13.6M Premier League Funds in Sorare Crypto Probe",
    "dek": "UK National Crime Agency freezes $13.6 million in Premier League funds linked to crypto firm Sorare during a criminal investigation.",
    "prose": "The UK's National Crime Agency froze $13.6 million (£10,024,041.33) held in a Barclays account belonging to the Premier League in January 2025. [^1]\n\nSorare faces a separate prosecution by the Gambling Commission for allegedly running gambling without a license, with a trial scheduled for June 2027. [^2]\n\nThe frozen funds were the opening instalment of a four-year sponsorship deal between the Premier League and the crypto fantasy soccer card game Sorare. [^3]\n\nThe NCA obtained the freezing order from Westminster magistrates' court under the Proceeds of Crime Act to prevent the dissipation of funds while investigating potential links to third-party criminality. [^4]\n\nSorare and the Premier League signed a four-year partnership deal worth $140 million in 2023, which granted Sorare rights to release digital cards featuring players from all 20 Premier League clubs. [^5]\n\nSorare denied being the subject of the investigation, stating the freezing order concerns funds held in an account that does not belong to the company. [^6]\n\nThe National Crime Agency is investigating possible links between payments under a licensing deal between Sorare and the Premier League and alleged criminal activity by third parties. [^7]",
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      "thread_id": "30cab477815b832b5ecce6fabf6f2772",
      "thread_label": "Sorare",
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  "cited_facts": [
    {
      "statement": "The UK's National Crime Agency froze $13.6 million (£10,024,041.33) held in a Barclays account belonging to the Premier League in January 2025.",
      "source": "Decrypt",
      "instrument": "News",
      "claim_key": null,
      "published_at": "2026-09-01T09:46:27.000Z",
      "publisher_count": 1,
      "sources": [
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    {
      "statement": "Sorare faces a separate prosecution by the Gambling Commission for allegedly running gambling without a license, with a trial scheduled for June 2027.",
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    },
    {
      "statement": "The frozen funds were the opening instalment of a four-year sponsorship deal between the Premier League and the crypto fantasy soccer card game Sorare.",
      "source": "Decrypt",
      "instrument": "News",
      "claim_key": null,
      "published_at": "2026-09-01T09:46:27.000Z",
      "publisher_count": 1,
      "sources": [
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    },
    {
      "statement": "The NCA obtained the freezing order from Westminster magistrates' court under the Proceeds of Crime Act to prevent the dissipation of funds while investigating potential links to third-party criminality.",
      "source": "Decrypt",
      "instrument": "News",
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      "published_at": "2026-09-01T09:46:27.000Z",
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    {
      "statement": "Sorare and the Premier League signed a four-year partnership deal worth $140 million in 2023, which granted Sorare rights to release digital cards featuring players from all 20 Premier League clubs.",
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      "published_at": "2026-09-01T17:22:38.000Z",
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      "statement": "Sorare denied being the subject of the investigation, stating the freezing order concerns funds held in an account that does not belong to the company.",
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      "published_at": "2026-09-01T17:22:38.000Z",
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      "statement": "The National Crime Agency is investigating possible links between payments under a licensing deal between Sorare and the Premier League and alleged criminal activity by third parties.",
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  "note": "A signature proves who filed this and that it has not changed since. It never makes a claim true."
}