Rui Pinto, the Portuguese computer hacker behind Football Leaks, is set to lose his witness protection in Portugal on October 10. Pinto released confidential documents that helped trigger the Premier League investigation into Manchester City's finances. He shared the documents with German magazine Der Spiegel in 2018, leading to investigations into City's alleged breaches of financial fair play rules. Pinto's revelations have had significant repercussions for Manchester City.
Manchester City was found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The club has since appealed the decision. Pinto's documents also led to scrutiny of Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who Pinto claims intervened to help City and Paris St-Germain avoid financial fair play sanctions from European football's governing body Uefa. Infantino's position has recently come under increased pressure.
Pinto became part of Portugal's witness protection programme in 2020 after agreeing to co-operate with authorities and provide files obtained through Football Leaks. However, he announced on Friday that the decision to terminate his participation in the programme has put him in a "life-threatening situation". Pinto cited "multiple death threats" and a "serious risk of an assassination attempt" as reasons for his concern. He has been forced to relocate to an undisclosed location for an indefinite period.
Pinto has described himself as a whistleblower, but was convicted in Portugal of offences including illegal access to data and attempted extortion. He was given a four-year suspended sentence. In a separate trial earlier this year, he was acquitted of 241 counts of illegally accessing email accounts belonging to sports bodies in Portugal. Pinto has worn a bulletproof vest during his trials, which have been subject to heightened security measures.
Pinto's lawyers have expressed concern that the decision to end his participation in the witness protection programme leaves him at heightened risk. They noted that legal proceedings stemming from the leaks remain ongoing, including the case against Manchester City. Pinto has set up a fundraising page to help him "survive this serious situation", which he claims was "created by the Portuguese State".
Pinto has also criticized Fifa president Gianni Infantino, saying he has "become a cancer on football" and should "have no place in the future of the game". This is not the first time Pinto has made allegations against Infantino, having previously claimed that Infantino intervened to help City and Paris St-Germain avoid financial fair play sanctions. Infantino's position has recently come under increased pressure due to controversy surrounding plans to sell stakes in Fifa's competitions to private investors.
The Commission for the Protection of Victims of Crimes in Portugal has been approached for comment on Pinto's situation. Pinto's case highlights the risks faced by whistleblowers in the world of football.
Key points
- Rui Pinto, the founder of Football Leaks, is set to lose his witness protection in Portugal despite fearing assassination.
- Pinto's revelations led to Manchester City being found guilty of breaching the Premier League's financial regulations.
- Pinto has criticized Fifa president Gianni Infantino, alleging he intervened to help City and Paris St-Germain avoid financial fair play sanctions.
