# Manchester City Whistleblower Loses Protection

> Rui Pinto, Manchester City whistleblower, no longer protected by Portuguese authorities.
- Title: Manchester City Whistleblower Loses Protection · the Guardian
- Summary: Rui Pinto, Manchester City whistleblower, no longer protected by Portuguese authorities. Rui Pinto, who leaked Manchester City's financial documents, lost…
- Keywords: rui pinto, manchester city, portuguese police, football leaks, premier league, uefa, champions league, sports, Manchester, City, Whistleblower, Loses
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/sep/30/manchester-city-whistleblower-rui-pinto-no-longer-protected-witness-premier-league-portuguese-police
- Published: 2026-09-30T19:40:04+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rui pinto, manchester city, portuguese police, football leaks, premier league, uefa, champions league, sports
## Rui Pinto's Protection Removed
Rui Pinto has been told to exercise caution with family and avoid social media after being told he is no longer a protected witness in Portugal.
## Whistleblower Background
Pinto, 37, runs Football Leaks and was a protected witness since 2020 after sharing millions of files with Portuguese authorities.
## Police Assessment
Portuguese police deemed Pinto’s safety risk low despite an April assault in Lisbon and ongoing City investigation fallout.
## Legal History
Pinto received a suspended four-year sentence in September 2023 for attempted extortion, illegal data access, and breach of correspondence.
## Impact of Leaks
Pinto provided information on City’s finances to Der Spiegel, triggering Uefa and Premier League investigations into Manchester City’s financial affairs.
## Current Consequences
Manchester City faces 114 Premier League charges over £900m in disguised funding, with appeal deadline on Friday.
## Key takeaway

Rui Pinto, who leaked Manchester City's financial documents, lost Portuguese witness protection after being advised to avoid social media and family contacts.