Rui Pinto, the Portuguese hacker behind the Football Leaks disclosures that helped trigger the Premier League investigation into Manchester City, is set to lose his witness protection amid claims that he faces serious threats to his safety.
Portuguese authorities have informed Pinto that his participation in the special security programme, which began in 2020, will end on October 10. His lawyers say the decision could leave him without secure accommodation and guaranteed police protection.
Pinto supplied confidential football documents to German publication Der Spiegel in 2018. The material was used in investigations into Manchester City’s finances and alleged breaches of financial regulations.
An independent Premier League commission has since found Manchester City guilty of 115 charges relating to its financial conduct between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. The club has denied the allegations and is appealing the ruling.
Pinto says the decision to end his protection has left him facing a “life-threatening situation”. He has claimed he has received multiple death threats and faces a serious risk of an assassination attempt, prompting him to relocate to an undisclosed location.
His lawyers have criticised the decision, arguing that legal proceedings arising from the Football Leaks disclosures are still ongoing and that removing his protection exposes him to increased risk.
Pinto, who describes himself as a whistleblower, was convicted in Portugal of offences including illegal access to data and attempted extortion and received a four-year suspended sentence.
He was acquitted earlier this year in a separate case involving 241 counts of illegally accessing email accounts linked to sports organisations, including Benfica.
The Football Leaks disclosures have played a significant role in investigations into financial practices involving several major football organisations.
