The SPFL and Sorare fantasy football deal in focus from Ajax controversy to Rangers absence

The Scottish top-flight, minus Rangers, has become the latest league to join the Sorare community - despite the company coming under intense scrutiny in recent weeks.

Sorare are involved with more than 240 clubs around the world including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Liverpool and boasts Antoine Griezmann as an investor and Gerard Pique as a strategic advisor.

And Sorare have now expanded into their eleventh league by teaming up with the SPFL to cover Scotland's top flight.

Before that move Ajax coach Erik ten Haag, while trying to dodge questions over his future, was also quizzed over reports that his players were using Sorare to gain financially.

It has been claimed that Ajax players Davy Klaasen and Daley Blind, both Holland internationals, profited financially from dressing room information as they inadvertently leaked their team's line-up.

Before last weekend's cup KNVB Cup final defeat to PSV, Klaasen and Blind both bought an NFT of goalkeeper and teammate Maarten Stekelenburg, while selling an NFT of fellow first-team goalkeeper Andre Onana.

Later that same day, it became clear that Stekelenburg - and not first-choice keeper Onana - would be between the sticks.

Interestingly, Blind and Klaassen already put their NFT picture of Onana up for sale before this news came out - leading to much controversy.

"I don’t know anything," said Ten Hag, before adding: "I will not announce the line-up until Sunday morning. Can players make money from this?"

Sorare is a non-fungible token (NFT) platform where users can buy, sell, trade, and manage a virtual team with digital player cards.

Many football clubs and competitions work together with Sorare and the Dutch Eredivisie club Ajax also has an agreement with the platform.

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