
A foundation set up after Liverpool forward Diogo Jota died is under scrutiny after claims it has no connection to his family for the football club. The Diogo Jota Foundation has been taking donations since three days after the footballer's death and is said to have raised just under £50,000.
The foundation is advertised via the diogojotafoundation.org domain name and, as of Thursday, 21 August, claims to have raised £47,715 in donations. However, it isn't believed to be affiliated with the football club, his family or most of the organisations featured on its website.
The site boasts the logos of Liverpool FC, UNICEF, Allianz and Portuguese Platform of Development NGOs, but according to The Telegraph, at least three have no knowledge of the foundation. The outlet claims these organisations aren't in partnership with the foundation, with the logos having been used without their permission.
What's more, it has also been confirmed by the Charity Commission that the foundation is yet to submit a registration application. It claims to have registered offices in New York, London and the Portuguese capital of Lisbon.
The donation page, which is hosted on an off-site platform, looks as if it only allows donations in cryptocurrency. It adds that it "accepts USDT, ETH and other crypto through NOWPayments securely".

The website's landing page reads: "Honouring the Legacy of Diogo Jota. Through football, education, and hope, we carry forward the light he left behind - creating opportunity, joy, and lasting impact for the youth of Gondomar and beyond.
"The Diogo Jota Foundation was conceived in 2025 with one goal: to celebrate Diogo's incredible journey from a small youth academy in Gondomar to one of Europe's most respected footballers - and to pay that spirit forward." It goes on to state that its core pillars include developing football programmes for young talents, providing scholarships and mentoring, and building community partnerships.
The Telegraph were told by Liverpool that the foundation has nothing to do with them, nor does the player's family. Liverpool instead said: "If supporters would like to honour Diogo by having 'Diogo J. 20' printed on the back of their shirt in official club stores or via our official online store, all profits will go to LFC Foundation," while adding the club have "committed to creating a grass-roots football programme in Diogo's name".
Furthermore, the Fundraising Regulator said: "In the wake of tragedies and natural disasters, there are always some who seek to capitalise on the British public's generosity and sympathy. While most charity appeals are genuine, the regulator always advises the public to exercise caution when considering making a donation to ensure that their money goes to where it is needed, and where they wish it to go.
"In general, the Fundraising Regulator would not advise donating to a foundation which is not a registered charity, as there is a high risk of fraud. People should additionally look for tell-tale signs that an online appeal may be fraudulent, such as vague or inconsistent information on the website, grammar or spelling errors, or a lack of information about the organisation from any other source."
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