Rui Pinto, the Portuguese computer hacker whose leaked documents sparked the Premier League's high-profile investigation into Manchester City's financial practices, now faces an uncertain future as his witness protection status comes to an end. The 37-year-old Football Leaks founder is set to lose the safeguards that have shielded him since 2020, despite expressing grave concerns about his personal security. Pinto has revealed that the termination of his participation in Portugal's witness protection programme, effective October 10, has created what he describes as a "life-threatening situation," forcing him to relocate to an undisclosed location indefinitely due to multiple death threats and the risk of assassination.
Pinto's disclosures proved instrumental in bringing down Manchester City. In 2018, he shared confidential documents—including emails and financial records—with German magazine Der Spiegel, which used them to investigate the club's finances and alleged violations of financial fair play regulations. These revelations ultimately led to Manchester City being found guilty of all charges related to breaches of Premier League financial regulations spanning the 2009-10 through 2017-18 seasons. The club has since filed an appeal against the guilty verdict. Pinto transitioned into the witness protection programme after agreeing to cooperate with Portuguese authorities and provide files obtained through his Football Leaks operation.
Despite presenting himself as a whistleblower fighting corruption in football, Pinto's legal standing remains complicated. He was convicted in Portugal of offences including illegal access to data and attempted extortion, receiving a four-year suspended sentence. During his 2020 trial, he wore a bulletproof vest as security measures were heightened. However, earlier this year he was acquitted in a second trial of 241 counts alleging he illegally accessed email accounts belonging to Portuguese sports bodies, including Benfica. A statement from Pinto's legal representatives issued Friday confirmed that the removal from witness protection has significantly elevated his risk level, particularly given that legal proceedings stemming from the leaks remain active.
Beyond the Manchester City case, Pinto has intensified his public campaign against corruption in football governance. On Wednesday, he launched a scathing attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, characterizing him as having "become a cancer on football" and claiming he should have "no place in the future of the game." Pinto reiterated allegations from 2018 that Infantino intervened to help both Manchester City and Paris St-Germain evade financial fair play sanctions from UEFA. His latest accusations come as Infantino's leadership faces mounting scrutiny following controversial proposals to sell stakes in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. Pinto has established a fundraising page seeking assistance to "survive this serious situation," which he alleges was "created by the Portuguese State." The BBC Sport has requested comment from the Commission for the Protection of Victims of Crimes in Portugal regarding the termination decision.