Portuguese authorities have confirmed that Rui Pinto, the mastermind behind the Football Leaks website, will continue to receive police protection. This decision comes after a previous resolution was nullified due to Pinto not being informed of the reasons for the decision and not having the opportunity to challenge it. The 37-year-old whistleblower has been a protected witness since 2020.
Pinto's lawyers had denounced irregularities in the proceedings, citing the real threats facing their client. In April last year, Pinto was assaulted in Lisbon and has since moved to a secret location due to multiple death threats. As a protected witness, Pinto has been cooperating with Portuguese authorities and investigators from other European countries, providing access to millions of files gathered before his arrest.
Pinto was arrested in Hungary in January 2019 and extradited to Portugal, where he spent over a year in pre-trial detention. He was both a defendant and a protected witness in the Portuguese justice system. In September 2023, a Portuguese court handed Pinto a suspended four-year sentence after finding him guilty of attempted extortion, illegal access to data, and breach of correspondence.
The Football Leaks website, launched by Pinto, exposed questionable practices involving star football players, clubs, and agents. This led to tax adjustments and judicial investigations in several countries. Pinto's revelations also triggered a Premier League probe into Manchester City's finances. His actions have had far-reaching consequences for European soccer.
Pinto's protection measures were initially set to end on Saturday, but the Justice Ministry has decided to extend them pending a new decision. The ministry's statement assured that Pinto's safety would remain a priority. This move ensures that Pinto can continue to cooperate with authorities without fear of reprisal.
As a self-taught computer expert and former history student, Pinto began publishing millions of documents online in late 2015. He hacked computers to obtain this information, which was then passed on to a consortium of European investigative media outlets. Pinto's actions have been credited with bringing about significant changes in the football industry.
The decision to extend Pinto's protection highlights the ongoing risks he faces. Pinto's case demonstrates the challenges faced by whistleblowers in high-profile cases. His cooperation with authorities has been instrumental in uncovering corruption in European soccer, and his safety remains a concern.
Key points
- Rui Pinto will remain under police protection due to ongoing threats to his safety.
- Pinto's Football Leaks website triggered a Premier League probe into Manchester City's finances.
- Pinto received a suspended four-year sentence in September 2023 for his role in the Football Leaks scandal.
