A Barcelona court has launched a criminal investigation into an alleged crypto fraud involving Shirtum Europa SLU, a blockchain startup that sold sports-themed NFTs with the backing of prominent footballers. The company reportedly raised over $3.4 million by selling non-functional NFTs tied to player image rights—marketed through its proprietary token, $SHI.
The probe stems from complaints filed by 12 affected investors and accuses Shirtum’s leadership—allegedly a network of Spanish and Argentine businessmen—of orchestrating a fraudulent offering. Buyers were reportedly misled by promises of a robust NFT platform that never came to fruition.
Promotional efforts were backed by major football names, including Argentina’s World Cup champions Papu Gómez and Lucas Ocampos, as well as former FC Barcelona players Ivan Rakitić and Javier Saviola. Other figures under scrutiny include Nico Pareja and Alberto Moreno. While it’s still unclear whether the athletes were knowingly involved or merely lent their likenesses, their participation is now under judicial review.
Shirtum Accused of Fraud Built on Tax Havens
The court investigation has unearthed allegations of a deliberately orchestrated fraud fronted by Spanish and Argentine businessmen. Prosecutors point to Argentine national David Rozencwaig and Catalan entrepreneurs Manel Ángel Torras, his son Marc Alberto Torras, and Manuel Morillas as the primary architects behind Shirtum’s opaque corporate setup.
The business structure—spanning Spain and the tax haven of Andorra—was allegedly designed to shield the group from legal accountability and taxes. A collection of 13 forensic reports, including one by noted economist Prosper Lamothe, serves as the foundation of the case.
At the core of the scheme were digital collectibles marketed as rare player-linked NFTs. Despite some NFTs selling for over $500, they were neither tradable nor supported by a functional platform. Shirtum reportedly portrayed footballers as “co-founders” and brand ambassadors in a campaign that lent the project unearned credibility.
Further complicating matters, Shirtum claimed in March 2022 that it had suffered two major crypto hacks. However, investigators report that no formal complaints were filed, and instead of rebuilding the platform, the company was quietly dismantled as investor funds were allegedly funneled into personal accounts.
Crypto Sponsorships Sour for Spanish Football Clubs
Following Spain’s 2021 ban on gambling advertisements, La Liga clubs turned to crypto firms to fill the sponsorship gap. But for many teams, these partnerships have delivered more headaches than help.
Multiple clubs are now grappling with missed payments, broken agreements, and stalled contracts. Legal actions have been initiated by several teams to recover unpaid funds from their crypto sponsors, many of which are either defunct or under investigation.
What began as a hopeful pivot to Web3 has turned into a series of high-stakes disputes. As Spanish football reassesses its off-field revenue models, the Shirtum case serves as a warning about the risks of diving into underregulated financial partnerships.
Quick Facts
- Barcelona court is investigating Shirtum’s $3.4M NFT sale.
- 12 investors filed complaints, alleging fraud and misrepresentation.
- Shirtum promoted NFTs linked to famous footballers’ image rights.
- Prosecutors cite tax haven use and fund misappropriation.
