Manchester City Whistleblower Rui Pinto Leaves Portugal Amid Safety Fears

Rui Pinto, the founder of Football Leaks, is preparing to leave Portugal. He has been informed that his participation in the country’s witness protection program has ended, and he fears for his safety.

Pinto claims he has received multiple death threats and faces a serious risk of assassination. Portuguese authorities informed him of the decision on Wednesday, two days after the Premier League found Manchester City guilty of 115 charges—an investigation initiated by Pinto's leaked documents.

In a statement released on Friday, Pinto stated that the timing and circumstances of his witness protection termination placed him in a life-threatening situation. He wrote on X that on September 30, 2026, just hours after the verdict confirming Manchester City's guilt, the commission responsible for Portugal’s witness protection program terminated his participation and withdrew police protection, "knowingly placing me in a life-threatening situation."

He added that he has no choice but to relocate to an undisclosed location indefinitely within the next few days. This move is due to numerous death threats and the substantial risk of assassination. Pinto has launched a GoFundMe campaign, asking for support to navigate this critical situation created by the Portuguese state, which he asserts knowingly put his life at risk.

The GoFundMe campaign aims to raise €3 million (£2.55 million). It had garnered €4,000 within its first half-hour. Pinto assured supporters that the fight will continue.

Pinto's lawyers confirmed they will appeal the Portuguese authorities' decision. They stated that ending his protection leaves him more vulnerable than at any point since 2020. The lawyers argue the decision was made without him being heard and call the circumstances a "failure to respect the rule of law."

In a request to Portugal’s Ministry of Justice, Pinto's legal team asked the government to reconsider, disclose the basis of the latest risk assessment, and ensure his protection continues. His lawyers stated his situation is now critical, noting he was assaulted in Lisbon in April. They highlighted that his revelations implicated powerful individuals with significant resources, and many legal proceedings stemming from them are ongoing, evidenced by the recent Premier League commission decision concerning Manchester City. They emphasized that abruptly losing his protected residence and facing extreme precariousness makes Pinto more vulnerable than ever before.

Pinto entered Portugal's protection program after cooperating with judicial authorities. His disclosures have been used by judicial, tax, and sporting bodies across Europe, including the Premier League's investigation into Manchester City's alleged financial irregularities. Pinto's lawyers contend that his cooperation with the justice system and the ongoing risks associated with his disclosures should be considered before his protection is terminated. They described the decision and its handling as a failure to respect the rule of law and an act of "state terrorism."