Reference Case Number: FOI2026_01238
Freedom of Information: Right to know request:
Please provide information concerning the recent warning to football clubs regarding sponsorship deals.
FCA response:
1. The number of clubs written to by the FCA.
The FCA has written to a total of 21 football clubs.
2. The number of those clubs that were in the Premier League, Championship and other divisions respectively.
At the time of writing, 20 clubs were in the Premier League and 1 club was in the Championship.
3. The number of clubs that the FCA has identified as having sponsors that are not authorised in the UK, including former sponsorship arrangements.
We have identified 18 sponsorship arrangements between 13 football clubs and financial service providers that are not authorised by the FCA.
It is important to note that a lack of authorisation does not necessarily mean that the club is endorsing unlawful conduct and does not indicate a breach of UK law. In the majority of the sponsorship arrangements we have reviewed, we have not identified evidence to suggest that the sponsoring firm is acting unlawfully or in breach of UK regulatory requirements.
4. The number of clubs that the FCA has identified as being in discussions with sponsors that would not be authorised in the UK if selected.
We do not hold information relevant to this part of your request. The discussions you refer to are likely considered commercially sensitive by both the clubs and their potential sponsors, and clubs are not required to share this type of information with us.
5. Minutes of meetings with clubs where sponsorship deals were discussed from 1 January 2023 until the date this request is answered.
We can confirm that we have not conducted any meetings with clubs concerning sponsorship deals within the time period laid out in the request.
6. Minutes of internal FCA meetings where sponsorship deals were discussed from 1 January 2023 until the date this request is answered.
We would like to clarify that the warning issued to football clubs was a departmental initiative within the Scams, Promotions, Engagement & Perimeter team.
While internal discussions touching on this topic did take place, they did not form part of formal meetings and therefore, no minutes were created.
7. The number of open enforcement investigations against football clubs regarding sponsorships and any other issues respectively.
We can confirm that there are no open enforcement investigations against football clubs.