# City whistleblower stays in witness protection

> Portuguese authorities reverse the decision to end Rui Pinto's protection after he warned it would put him in danger.
- Title: City whistleblower stays in witness protection · BBC Sport
- Summary: Portuguese authorities reverse the decision to end Rui Pinto's protection after he warned it would put him in danger. Rui Pinto, the hacker who leaked…
- Keywords: rui pinto, manchester city, premier league, football leaks, witness protection, portugal, sports, City, whistleblower, stays, witness, protection
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cq4g1xerk398o
- Published: 2026-10-09T22:59:32.222+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rui pinto, manchester city, premier league, football leaks, witness protection, portugal, sports
## Hacker who exposed City stays protected
Rui Pinto, the Portuguese computer hacker who released documents triggering Manchester City's Premier League investigation, will remain in witness protection after authorities reversed their decision to end it.
## Pinto warned of life-threatening danger
Pinto had been scheduled to leave the protection programme on Saturday. He previously said ending it would put him in a life-threatening situation. Portugal's Ministry of Justice reversed the decision on Friday.

> life-threatening situation
## Documents exposed City's financial breaches
In two thousand eighteen, Pinto shared confidential football documents with German magazine Der Spiegel, including emails and financial records relating to Manchester City.
## Pinto gets ten days to challenge assessment
The special security programmes commission failed to adequately notify Pinto of grounds for ending his protection or give him a chance to challenge it.
## Key takeaway

Rui Pinto, the hacker who leaked documents that triggered Manchester City's Premier League investigation, will remain in witness protection after Portugal reversed its decision to end it.