Barcelona Stars and World Cup Winners Face Fraud Allegations in $3.4M Crypto NFT Scandal
Introduction: Football Stars Entangled in Crypto Scam as Shirtum NFT Project Collapses
A high-profile crypto scandal has rocked the football world as six elite players—some of them World Cup winners and ex-Barcelona legends—find themselves under investigation for promoting a failed NFT and crypto project that allegedly defrauded investors of over $3.4 million.
The case centers on a digital token and NFT platform known as Shirtum, which promised exclusive collectibles tied to football stars' image rights. However, the promised products were never delivered, and the company has since disappeared—leaving thousands of investors with worthless tokens and unanswered questions.
As the Spanish judicial system launches a criminal probe into Shirtum Europa SLU, the incident shines a harsh light on the intersection of celebrity endorsement, football, and crypto investments, raising concerns over regulation, accountability, and investor protection.
Spanish Court Investigates Footballer-Backed Crypto Scheme
The Barcelona Fifth District Court has officially opened a criminal investigation following a lawsuit filed by 12 victims earlier this year. At the heart of the case is Shirtum Europa SLU, a crypto company accused of creating non-functional NFTs and misleading investors through aggressive celebrity-backed promotion.
Among those named in the case are:
Alejandro "Papu" Gómez – World Cup winner with Argentina
Lucas Ocampos – Fellow Argentine World Cup player
Ivan Rakitić – Former Barcelona midfielder
Javier Saviola – Former Barcelona and Real Madrid striker
Nico Pareja – Ex-Sevilla defender
Alberto Moreno – Former Liverpool and Villarreal full-back
These footballers are not accused of masterminding the scam, but of heavily promoting the Shirtum platform. Their involvement lent credibility to what now appears to be a failed and potentially fraudulent investment scheme.
Shirtum NFT Project: Hype, Hopes, and a Harsh Collapse
The Shirtum platform marketed itself as a revolutionary way for fans to own exclusive digital collectibles tied to their favorite football stars. These NFTs were sold through the company’s in-house cryptocurrency token, $SHI, which investors had to purchase to buy the collectibles.
Prices for some NFTs reportedly reached over $500 each, but the promised marketplace was never delivered. Tokens quickly became illiquid, and the platform was eventually abandoned—without any official statement or refund to investors.
The complaint, supported by 13 expert reports and a financial analysis by economist Prosper Lamothe, alleges that the entire business structure was designed to evade taxes and obscure ownership. This structure spanned Spain and Andorra, using a network of shell entities to hide the flow of money.
The Alleged Masterminds Behind the Crypto Collapse
While the footballers helped promote the project, the alleged masterminds are identified as:
David Rozencwaig – Argentine businessman and close friend of "Papu" Gómez
Manel Ángel Torras – Catalan entrepreneur
Marc Alberto Torras – His son and business partner
Manuel Morillas – Spanish businessman involved in Shirtum’s setup
They are accused of orchestrating the scheme, siphoning investor funds for personal use, and never delivering the core services promised by the platform.
According to reports, when the platform faced scrutiny in March 2022, Shirtum claimed to have been hacked—alleging two massive crypto thefts. However, no police report or formal investigation into the so-called hack was ever filed.
One of the most troubling aspects of the Shirtum case is the use of footballers as public faces of the brand. The players were presented as founders, ambassadors, and even developers of the platform. Their large social media followings and reputations gave Shirtum legitimacy in the eyes of unsuspecting fans and investors.
“Papu” Gómez allegedly played a key role in recruiting other players into the project and publicly positioned himself as a founding member. Once the platform collapsed, many of these players began systematically deleting posts and traces of Shirtum from their online presence.
Crypto and Football: A Volatile Partnership in Spain
The Shirtum scandal is just the latest in a series of troubling partnerships between crypto firms and football clubs in Spain.
Following the 2021 ban on gambling sponsorships in La Liga, many clubs turned to crypto companies as an alternative revenue source. However, these relationships have often ended in legal disputes, unpaid fees, and public backlash.
Several La Liga clubs are currently pursuing legal action against crypto sponsors that failed to meet their contractual obligations, leaving teams without promised funds and fans with failed promises.
As Mohith Agadi, founder of Fact Protocol, stated:
> “People see big names like football stars and think it’s a safe bet, but that trust can be exploited.”
The Legal Path Forward: Accountability in the NFT Space
With crypto still largely unregulated in many jurisdictions, cases like Shirtum expose the need for stricter oversight—especially when celebrity influence is involved.
The Spanish court’s investigation could lead to criminal charges, asset seizures, and eventually compensation for victims. But for now, thousands of investors are left with nothing but worthless tokens and bitter lessons.
Blockchain technology, while transparent in theory, can still be manipulated through complex business structures and celebrity marketing that hides the real intentions behind projects.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Crypto Investors and Football Fans
The Shirtum NFT scandal serves as a stark warning about the dangers of unverified crypto investments, especially those linked to high-profile celebrities. Just because a footballer or influencer endorses a project doesn’t make it legitimate.
This case also underscores the need for football authorities and players to be more cautious about the brands they promote. As crypto continues to gain mainstream appeal, due diligence, transparency, and accountability must become standard practice.
For now, the story of Shirtum is one of lost trust, broken promises, and a stark reminder that celebrity-backed investments are not always what they seem.
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