Football Leaks founder Rui Pinto is due to lose his witness protection in Portugal on 10 October, prompting calls from his lawyers and supporters for the decision to be reconsidered.
The Signals Network, which has supported Pinto since 2019, said withdrawing protection would raise serious concerns about his safety. His disclosures helped trigger scrutiny of Manchester City’s finances. thesignalsnetwork.org
Separately, the Guardian reported on 3 October that Pinto would assist UK authorities if protected. theguardian.com
Lawyers Warn About His Safety
Pinto entered Portugal’s witness protection programme in 2020 after agreeing to cooperate with authorities.
His legal team said losing the programme would leave him urgently needing new accommodation, without assurance that police protection would continue. They also cited an assault in Lisbon in April as evidence of the risks he faces.
Reuters reported on 2 October that Portugal’s justice ministry had not immediately responded to its request for comment. reuters.com
The Signals Network has urged Portuguese authorities to maintain his safety and reconsider the withdrawal. Its assessment comes from an organisation supporting Pinto, rather than the authority responsible for deciding his protection status. thesignalsnetwork.org
Manchester City’s Appeal Is Under Way
The Premier League confirmed on 2 October that City had lodged an appeal against an independent commission’s decision. The appeal hearing will remain private until publication of its outcome is permitted. premierleague.com
The commission found financial rule breaches covering the 2009/10 to 2017/18 seasons. According to the league, these included arrangements that artificially increased revenue and reduced reported costs, alongside failures to cooperate with its investigation.
The league said sanctions would be considered separately. These are sporting disciplinary findings; they do not constitute a criminal conviction. premierleague.com
City denies wrongdoing and is contesting the decision. reuters.com
Pinto’s Own Legal History
Pinto has also faced prosecution over how he obtained information. AFP reported that a Portuguese court gave him a suspended four-year prison sentence in September 2023 for attempted extortion, illegal access to data, and breach of correspondence. rte.ie
The immediate questions are whether Portugal will reconsider his protection and how City’s appeal proceeds. Neither the appeal outcome nor the club’s eventual sanction has been settled. thesignalsnetwork.org, premierleague.com, premierleague.com
