The Diogo Jota Foundation has been found to have no connection to Liverpool FC or the footballer's family, with an inquest set to investigate the charity that has raised almost £50,000.
The foundation was set up just three days after the Liverpool forward tragically died, along with his brother, Andre Silva, in a car crash last month.
The website claims to have raised £47,849, which it says has gone towards distributing meals, sponsoring children in school and building local partnerships.
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The website appears to only allow donations in cryptocurrency.
Diogo Jota helped Liverpool win the Premier League title last season before his tragic death at the age of 28 | PAThe website includes the logos of Liverpool FC, charity organisation Unicef, Allianz and Portuguese Platform of Development NGOs (non-governmental organisations).
However, according to The Telegraph, at least three of those organisations have no knowledge of the foundation.
Liverpool FC confirmed to The Telegraph that they, along with Jota’s family which includes his late wife Rute Cardoso, whom he married just 11 days prior to the tragic accident, and three young children, also are not aware of the website.
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The Diogo Jota Foundation has raised almost £50,000
|GETTY
In addition, the Charity Commission have confirmed there has not been a registration application submitted for the charity that claims to have registered offices in New York, London, and Lisbon.
The club recently advised supporters: “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.”
They had also announced that the LFC Foundation had “committed to creating a grass-roots football programme in Diogo’s name”.
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The website, which ends in .org, includes a small biography, reading: “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.
“Born on December 4, 1996 in Gondomar, Portugal, Diogo grew up balancing school, family and football.
“Through hard work and community support, he earned a place in esteemed academies and rose through the ranks into professional and international football."
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Liverpool recommended fans to buy shirts with 'Diogo J. 20' on the back to honour the Portuguese, with the proceeds going to the LFC Foundation
|GETTY
The website also adds its “core pillars”, which include football programs, scholarships and mentoring and community partnerships.
Finally, a quote from the late Jota is added: "Football gave me everything. I always believed in using the game to give back — to inspire, uplift, and create chances for others to thrive."
In response to the findings, 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.”