A high-profile crypto fraud involving footballers is shaking both the sports and blockchain worlds. The Court of Instruction No. 5 of Barcelona has named several elite players, some with World Cup medals and former ties to FC Barcelona and Sevilla, in a $3.4 million cryptocurrency scandal. The investigation centers around a failed NFT and crypto project called Shirtum.
Shirtum Case: The Core of the Crypto Fraud Involving Footballers
At the heart of this crypto fraud involving footballers is Shirtum Europa SLU, a company that issued its own token, $SHI, alongside sports-themed NFTs featuring player endorsements. Victims allege that the project’s high-profile backers misled them and left them holding worthless assets. They have filed more than a dozen formal complaints, and estimates suggest the number of affected individuals could reach into the thousands.
The affected footballers promoted Shirtum across social media, lending their credibility to the project. While the players have not yet been formally charged with crimes, their involvement is under close scrutiny.
Which Footballers Are Involved?
Six former professional players have been linked to the scandal, all having appeared in Shirtum promotional material:
- Alejandro “Papu” Gómez – 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina
- Lucas Ocampos – World Cup participant with Argentina
- Ivan Rakitić – Former FC Barcelona and Croatian national team star
- Javier Saviola – Former FC Barcelona striker
- Nico Pareja – Ex-Sevilla defender
- Alberto Moreno – Former Liverpool and Sevilla left-back
These players helped launch the project through marketing campaigns but may not have been aware of its financial mismanagement.
Legal Claims and Allegations
The lawsuit alleges several crimes, including fraud, embezzlement, false advertising, money laundering, market manipulation, and tax evasion.
The victims claim that the athletes’ reputations lured them into investing, only for them to later discover that the promised platform never fully materialized. Blockchain specialists note that Shirtum’s smart contracts and NFT infrastructure failed to deliver any working product.
Public and Industry Reaction
The crypto fraud involving footballers has sparked outrage among both crypto investors and football fans. Analysts warn of the dangers of mixing celebrity endorsements with unregulated Web3 projects. “The use of fame to market blockchain products can create a false sense of security,” said Mohith Agadi, co-founder of Fact Protocol.
Legal experts argue that authorities could hold players accountable for failing to conduct due diligence before endorsing financial products. Others suggest they were also victims of misrepresentation by the project’s creators.
A Broader Problem in the Industry
This scandal is not isolated. It joins a growing list of celebrity-linked crypto projects that collapsed or ended in lawsuits. The crypto fraud involving footballers underscores the need for stricter legal frameworks around token sales, NFTs, and the use of influencer marketing in finance.
Conclusion
The crypto fraud involving footballers highlights the fragile line between celebrity-backed crypto promotions and investor protection. As Spain’s judiciary delves deeper into the case, the Shirtum saga may serve as a warning, and precedent, for future blockchain ventures tied to public figures.
