A judge in Barcelona is reviewing a case involving a failed crypto project that used famous football players to attract investors, according to a June 10 report by El Periodico.
The company behind the scheme, Shirtum Europa SLU, raised around $3.4 million (€3 million) by selling non-fungible tokens (NFTs) linked to player image rights. These NFTs were bought using a token called SHI but were never made usable.
The investigation began after twelve people filed a complaint in early 2025. According to court records, Shirtum used the image and reputation of well-known football players to promote its products.
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Players named in the case include Alberto Moreno, “Papu” Gómez, Ivan Rakitić, Javier Saviola, Nico Pareja, and Lucas Ocampos.
The individuals accused of running the operation are David Rozencwaig, Manel Ángel Torras, Marc Alberto Torras, and Manuel Morillas. Prosecutors said they created a network of companies across Spain and Andorra to avoid taxes and limit legal responsibility.
As part of the evidence, the complaint includes 13 expert reports, including one by economist Prosper Lamothe, who described the company’s internal setup as designed to avoid transparency.
In 2022, Shirtum said it had suffered two major hacks and lost a large amount of crypto. However, there is no record of any official report being made to the police. Investigators believe the money was not stolen, but instead used for personal expenses.
Meanwhile, federal prosecutors in California have announced guilty pleas from five men involved in a $36.9 million cryptocurrency scheme that targeted victims in the United States. How did the case unfold? Read the full story.
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