Man City whistleblower to remain in witness protection

What the report says

Portuguese authorities have suspended a decision to remove Rui Pinto from witness protection, meaning the computer hacker linked to the Football Leaks files will remain in the programme for now, according to BBC Sport. Pinto, who is 37, is the founder of Football Leaks and has said the material he disclosed helped trigger the Premier League investigation into Manchester City.

BBC Sport reported that Pinto shared confidential documents in 2018 with German magazine Der Spiegel, including emails and financial records relating to City. Those files fed reporting on the club’s finances and alleged breaches of Premier League financial rules. The article noted that City were recently found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the league’s financial regulations covering the 2009-10 to 2017-18 seasons, and that the club has appealed.

Pinto entered Portugal’s witness protection programme in 2020 after agreeing to cooperate with authorities. A recent decision to end that protection was reversed for the time being after the Ministry of Justice said the special security programmes commission had not properly notified him or given him a chance to challenge the move. He will now have 10 days to review a risk assessment said to indicate a low threat level.

The BBC also said Pinto has described himself as a whistleblower, though he has been convicted in Portugal of offences including illegal access to data and attempted extortion, and has faced previous legal proceedings connected to the Football Leaks material.