Rui Pinto and Portuguese authorities
2 October 2026
Football Leaks founder Rui Pinto says his Portuguese witness protection will end on 10 October despite what he describes as multiple death threats and a serious assassination risk. Pinto’s leaked documents helped trigger investigations into Manchester City’s finances.
Pinto entered witness protection in 2020 after agreeing to cooperate with authorities and provide Football Leaks material. He says he will now relocate to an undisclosed location indefinitely, while his lawyers argue that legal cases arising from the leaks remain active.