Football Leaks Whistleblower Loses Witness Protection Amid Assassination Fears

Whistleblower Removed from Protection Program

Rui Pinto, the Portuguese hacker whose leaked documents triggered the Premier League's investigation into Manchester City's financial irregularities, faces termination from Portugal's witness protection program effective October 10. The 37-year-old announced the decision via social media, claiming it has created a life-threatening situation forcing him to relocate indefinitely. Pinto asserts he has received multiple death threats and faces serious risk of assassination attempts, necessitating his departure to an undisclosed location.

The Football Leaks Operation and Manchester City Case

Pinto founded Football Leaks and released confidential documents—including emails and financial records—that exposed Manchester City's alleged breaches of financial fair play regulations. In 2018, he shared the materials with German publication Der Spiegel, which used them for extensive investigations into the club's finances. Last week, Manchester City was found guilty of all Premier League financial regulation violations spanning the 2009-10 through 2017-18 seasons, a verdict the club has appealed. The leaked documents proved instrumental in establishing the case against the club, making Pinto's cooperation with authorities crucial to the investigation.

Complex Legal History and Convictions

Pinto's background complicates his position as a whistleblower. Although he describes himself in that capacity, he was convicted in Portugal of illegal data access and attempted extortion, receiving a four-year suspended sentence. During his 2020 trial, he wore a bulletproof vest amid heightened security measures—an early indication of the threats he faces. More recently, in 2024, he was acquitted of 241 counts involving illegal access to email accounts belonging to Portuguese sports bodies, including the prominent club Benfica. His lawyers argue that ongoing legal proceedings stemming from the leaks, including the Manchester City case, create ongoing risk to his safety.

Broader Allegations Against FIFA Leadership

Beyond the Manchester City matter, Pinto has leveled serious allegations against FIFA President Gianni Infantino. On Wednesday, he publicly declared that Infantino has "become a cancer on football" and should have no future role in the sport's governance. Pinto reiterated 2018 allegations that Infantino intervened to help both Manchester City and Paris St-Germain avoid financial fair play sanctions from UEFA, European football's governing body. These claims coincide with mounting pressure on Infantino related to controversial proposals to sell stakes in FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private investors. The timing of these statements and Pinto's loss of protection suggests the stakes surrounding his revelations remain extraordinarily high.

Fundraising and State Accountability

In response to his circumstances, Pinto has established a fundraising page to finance his survival during what he characterizes as a crisis "created by the Portuguese State." His legal representatives issued a statement Friday emphasizing that terminating his witness protection status places him at heightened risk, particularly given the continuation of legal cases originating from the leaked documents. The statement underscores the danger Pinto faces despite his instrumental role in exposing financial misconduct at the highest levels of professional football. His situation raises questions about whether states adequately protect whistleblowers who challenge powerful institutions, even after they have cooperated with authorities and provided evidence in major investigations.