FC Barcelona Faces Backlash Over Sponsorship with Obscure Crypto Firm

Core Viewpoint - FC Barcelona has faced significant criticism for entering a sponsorship agreement with Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP), a blockchain startup with limited visibility and transparency, raising concerns about the club's financial desperation and potential risks to fans [1][2]. Group 1: Sponsorship Agreement Details - The sponsorship agreement with ZKP was announced on November 15, designating ZKP as the official blockchain technology partner for FC Barcelona, despite the company's minimal digital presence and its registration in a tax haven [2]. - ZKP's initial social media presence was notably weak, with only 33 followers on X, and it followed only FC Barcelona, Bitcoin, and controversial influencer Andrew Tate [4]. Group 2: Criticism and Concerns - Critics have highlighted troubling associations, including Andrew Tate promoting ZKP shortly after the deal was announced, which raises questions about the legitimacy and intentions behind the partnership [3]. - The lack of transparency regarding ZKP's operations and leadership has been described as "deeply concerning," with warnings that fans might invest in coins that could become worthless [5]. Group 3: Due Diligence and Club Response - Former Barcelona board director Xavier Vilajoana expressed concerns about the due diligence conducted by the club before finalizing the agreement, questioning the wisdom of associating with a company that has numerous red flags [6]. - On November 26, FC Barcelona issued a statement distancing itself from ZKP's newly announced FCB token, clarifying that the club has "no connection whatsoever" to it [6].