Rui Pinto's Protection Revoked Amid Man City Probe

Rui Pinto, the whistleblower behind Football Leaks, is facing the imminent revocation of his witness protection status in Portugal. This development follows closely on the heels of an independent commission finding Manchester City guilty of significant breaches of Premier League financial rules over nine seasons.

Pinto entered Portugal's witness protection program in 2020 after cooperating with authorities and sharing data from the Football Leaks operation. His legal team expressed grave concern, stating that he will lose his protected residence on October 10 without prior hearing, potentially leaving him vulnerable.

Manchester City was found guilty of all charges related to financial regulation breaches and failing to cooperate with the investigation. The league alleged the club used sham contracts to inflate revenue by over 900 million pounds. The club has denied wrongdoing and appealed the verdict.

Pinto's lawyers highlighted that the ongoing legal proceedings, including the recent Manchester City case, mean his situation is critical. They noted he was assaulted in Lisbon in April and believe losing his protection would increase his vulnerability significantly.