FC Barcelona faces criticism over its $22 million sponsorship deal with crypto company ZKP.

PANews reported on November 29 that FC Barcelona had previously signed a three-year, $22 million global sponsorship agreement with crypto company Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP), making ZKP the club's official crypto protocol partner. However, this move has drawn criticism.

Xavier Vilajoana, a former board member of the club, stated that reaching an agreement with the crypto startup was a sign of financial “desperation,” citing “red flags” in the company’s background and calling the decision “extremely worrying.” ZKP is a little-known blockchain company registered in Samoa, a country the EU has designated as a tax haven. ZKP launched its social media accounts and white paper in early November, and at the time of the agreement, its account on the X platform had only 33 followers. Its website does not provide detailed information about ownership and financing structure, and it is currently conducting an initial coin offering (ICO).

FC Barcelona clarified in an official statement that the club "has no connection whatsoever with the company's tokens," and that the existence or issuance of the tokens was never discussed during sponsorship negotiations. The existence and issuance of the tokens were not part of any previous sponsorship agreement signed with the club.