The short version
- Rui Pinto will lose his place in Portugal's witness protection program on October 10, citing fears of assassination and multiple death threats.
- The termination occurs shortly after Manchester City was found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations, a verdict the club has appealed.
- Pinto continues to face legal consequences for data access offenses while alleging that FIFA leadership intervened to shield clubs from sanctions.
Rui Pinto, the Portuguese computer hacker central to the Football Leaks operation, is set to lose his status in Portugal’s witness protection program. The termination, scheduled for October 10, has prompted urgent concerns regarding his personal safety. Pinto has publicly stated that the decision places him in a life-threatening situation, citing multiple death threats and a serious risk of assassination. Consequently, he plans to relocate to an undisclosed location for an indefinite period to ensure his survival.
The timing of this security downgrade intersects with significant developments in English football. Last week, Manchester City was found guilty of all charges related to breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations spanning the 2009-10 through 2017-18 seasons. The club has confirmed it will appeal the verdict. Pinto originally released confidential documents, including emails and financial records, to German magazine Der Spiegel in 2018. These materials formed the basis of investigations into City’s finances and alleged violations of financial fair play rules.
Pinto entered the witness protection program in 2020 after agreeing to cooperate with Portuguese authorities. In exchange for providing files obtained through his hacking activities, he received state-sponsored security measures. However, his legal standing remains complex. He was convicted in Portugal of offenses including illegal access to data and attempted extortion, resulting in a four-year suspended sentence. During his initial trial in 2020, security was heightened, and Pinto wore a bulletproof vest in court.
Despite these convictions, Pinto has seen some legal victories. Earlier this year, he was acquitted in a second trial of 241 counts involving the illegal access of email accounts belonging to various sports bodies in Portugal, including Benfica. His lawyers argue that ending his protection now is ill-advised because legal proceedings stemming from the leaks are still ongoing. This includes the broader case against Manchester City and other potential investigations linked to the released documents.
Pinto has characterized himself as a whistleblower rather than a criminal hacker. He has launched a fundraising campaign to help him survive what he describes as a serious situation created by the Portuguese State. The move suggests a breakdown in trust between Pinto and the authorities who previously shielded him. His representatives emphasize that the risk level remains high due to the sensitive nature of the information he possesses and the powerful entities implicated by his disclosures.
Beyond the immediate legal battles, Pinto has directed criticism toward FIFA president Gianni Infantino. He recently described Infantino as a cancer on football, arguing that the official should have no place in the future of the game. Pinto reiterated allegations from 2018 claiming that Infantino intervened to help Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain avoid financial fair play sanctions imposed by UEFA. These claims add another layer of controversy to the ongoing scrutiny of European football governance.
Infantino’s position has faced increased pressure in recent months due to controversial plans to sell stakes in governing body competitions, such as the World Cup, to private investors. Pinto’s renewed attacks on FIFA leadership coincide with this broader institutional critique. The intersection of club-level financial breaches and international governing body corruption allegations suggests a systemic issue within modern football administration.
The BBC Sport has approached the Commission for the Protection of Victims of Crimes in Portugal for comment regarding the termination of Pinto’s protection. No official statement has been released to explain the rationale behind ending his security measures at this specific juncture. The lack of transparency from authorities contrasts with Pinto’s public assertions of imminent danger, leaving observers uncertain about the true level of threat he faces.
As Manchester City navigates its appeal process, the broader implications of the Football Leaks documents continue to resonate. The case highlights the tension between regulatory enforcement and the protection of those who expose potential wrongdoing. Whether Pinto’s relocation ensures his safety or merely delays further legal complications remains unclear. The situation underscores the precarious position of whistleblowers in high-stakes corporate and sporting environments.
The coming weeks will likely see increased media attention on both Pinto’s whereabouts and Manchester City’s legal strategy. If the club’s appeal fails, it could set a precedent for how financial breaches are handled in top-tier football. Meanwhile, Pinto’s fundraising efforts and public statements indicate he intends to remain active in the narrative, despite losing state protection. The convergence of these events marks a critical moment in the ongoing saga of Football Leaks.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Man City whistleblower to lose witness protection
