Rui Pinto, the whistleblower whose Football Leaks disclosures triggered the Premier League investigation that resulted in Manchester City being found guilty of more than 100 financial charges, is prepared to cooperate with UK authorities in exchange for protection, the Guardian has reported.
Pinto, 37, is currently awaiting the end of his protected witness status in Portugal, which expires on October 10. His defence team has protested against the decision to end that protection, accusing Portugal of what they described as “state terrorism,” and have appealed the decision without receiving a response. After October 10, Pinto will be legally free to cooperate with authorities in other countries.
The timing, however, is significant. Manchester City were last week found guilty by an independent Premier League commission of more than 100 charges related to financial breaches. This includes using what the tribunal described as “sham” contracts to artificially boost income by approximately £900 million. However, City confirmed on Friday they will appeal.
British authorities could independently extend the inquiry beyond the Premier League process, and Pinto’s detailed knowledge of the individuals, companies, and documents involved in the case makes him a potentially significant asset in any such extension.
Beyond the City Case
Pinto’s contribution in the UK would not be limited to the City case. The hundreds of millions of files he gathered as part of Football Leaks and the Luanda Leaks investigation are not solely held by Portuguese authorities.
Between his arrest in Hungary in January 2019 and his later extradition to Portugal, French authorities travelled to Budapest and copied the contents of all his electronic devices. Those documents can be shared internationally under bilateral cooperation agreements, including with the UK.
Pinto has cooperated sporadically with French, German, and Belgian authorities. He was acquitted of 241 counts after a second trial in Portugal in April this year. He is now crowdfunding to build a new life in a secret location. By Friday, people had already raised more than €19,000.
