# Rui Pinto loses witness protection after Manchester City leaks

> Portuguese authorities end Rui Pinto’s protected witness status following Manchester City financial leaks.
- Title: Rui Pinto loses witness protection after Manchester City leaks
- Summary: Portuguese authorities end Rui Pinto’s protected witness status following Manchester City financial leaks. Rui Pinto, a whistleblower who leaked Manchester…
- Keywords: rui pinto, manchester city, portugal, premier league, football leaks, witness protection, whistleblower, fifa, uefa, edward snowden, julian assange, doyen sports investments
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/01/fears-manchester-city-whistleblower-rui-pinto-loses-protected-witness-status
- Published: 2026-10-01T18:40:17+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rui pinto, manchester city, portugal, premier league, football leaks, witness protection, whistleblower, fifa, uefa, edward snowden, julian assange, doyen sports investments
## Rui Pinto’s leaks prompt investigations
Rui Pinto’s leaks of private documents prompted Uefa and then the Premier League to investigate Manchester City’s financial affairs.
## Pinto advised not to return home
Less than two hours later, Portuguese authorities confirmed Pinto would no longer be protected as a witness.
## Pinto’s protected status ends abruptly
Pinto has been advised not to return home, contact family members or visit crowded places.
## Pinto’s whistleblower background
Pinto has been a protected witness since 2020 after he agreed to grant Portuguese authorities access to millions of files acquired before his arrest in Budapest.
## Pinto’s legal history
He was given a suspended four-year sentence in September 2023 after being found guilty on counts of attempted extortion, illegal access to data and breach of correspondence.
## Pinto’s defense of actions
Pinto said to Der Spiegel in 2019: 'I told myself: If I allow them to buy me out now, I am no better than this whole business.'

> I told myself: 'If I allow them to buy me out now, I am no better than this whole business.'
## Pinto’s safety concerns
Pinto is understood to fear for his safety after a bounty was reportedly placed on his head following Football Leaks and Luanda Leaks revelations.
## Pinto’s legal battles
Pinto was acquitted in a second trial of 241 counts of illegally accessing email accounts belonging to Portuguese sports bodies and law firms.
## Pinto’s current status
Pinto has been living in a safe house under protection and has never disclosed his location, and it is understood he has received no visitors.
## Key takeaway

Rui Pinto, a whistleblower who leaked Manchester City’s financial documents, lost Portuguese witness protection after authorities terminated his safe house arrangement.