+34
Rui Pinto is willing to assist British authorities investigating Manchester City's financial affairs if given adequate security and witness protection. The Football Leaks whistleblower may provide further documents and testimony, potentially supporting investigations by UK regulators or law enforcement agencies.
Manchester City whistleblower ready to help UK authorities in return for protectionMore documents over City affairs may be made available Rui Pinto, whose leaks helped to trigger the Premier League’s investigation into Manchester City’s financial affairs, is prepared to help authorities in the UK with their legal case in exchange Despite the crowdfunding campaign launched on Friday to fund a new life after leaving the protection of the Portuguese police, the whistleblower’s priority remains to cooperate, provided adequate security arrangements are in place.
In addition to the sporting ramifications of the case being conducted against City by the Premier League, British authorities could also decide to extend the inquiry. That has already occurred in Portugal in relation to some of the documents disclosed by Pinto.
With detailed knowledge of the documents, individuals and companies involved in the case – as well as documents that may have been overlooked during the investigation – Rui Pinto is willing to continue as a protected witness in another country, it is understood. Just days before his arrest in Budapest in January 2019, the 37-year-old Portuguese national was negotiating entry into a witness protection programme in France, an initiative that was halted by the Portuguese authorities.
If it is confirmed that Rui Pinto will no longer be a protected witness in Portugal, he will be free to cooperate with authorities in other countries from 10 October. He has cooperated sporadically with French, German and Belgian authorities. The UK could now be added to that list, should it wish to do so. Pinto’s potential contribution in the UK could extend well beyond the City furore.
The hundreds of millions of files he gathered as part of Football Leaks and Luanda Leaks are not solely in the possession of the Portuguese authorities. Between his arrest in Hungary and his extradition to Portugal, French authorities travelled to the Hungarian capital and copied the contents of all the electronic devices in the whistleblower’s possession. Rui Pinto was laterThe documents can now be shared between countries as part of international cooperation between nations with bilateral ties, including the UK.
Rui Pinto is now waiting to find out what his future holds. His defence protested against the decision of ending the protection, accusing Portugal of “state terrorism”. The whistleblower’s lawyers said they had appealed against the decision and had sought to establish how the risk assessment had been carried out but had received no response. The hacker says he wants to leave Portugal for a secret location.
At the time of writing, more than €19,000 had already been raised by a crowdfunding campaign.
Manchester City Rui Pinto Football Leaks Financial Fair Play Witness Protection
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Criminal or saviour? Rui Pinto abandoned by Portuguese authorities after Manchester City leaksPinto, whose leaks of private documents prompted the investigation into Manchester City City, is understood to fear for his safety
Read more »
Andy Burnham Comments on Manchester City Ignite Tensions with Premier LeagueGovernment officials are unhappy that an independent commission ruling on Manchester City was published shortly after Andy Burnham's speech at the Labour party conference. Burnham's apparent sympathy for the club's owners following a verdict of over 100 financial rule breaches has alarmed several Premier League clubs. Downing Street clarified the Prime Minister's stance, emphasizing that the initial judgment is serious and no one is above the rules while the appeal process proceeds.
Read more »
Shaw secures WCL draw against Real Madrid as Manchester City show spirit after week of turmoilKhadija Shaw’s 51st-minute goal earned Manchester City a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid, who led through Linda Caicedo, in the Women’s Champions League
Read more »
Manchester City whistleblower Rui Pinto to leave Portugal over safety fearsRui Pinto has had his witness protection status removed but his lawyers said they will appeal and that his situation is ‘critical’
Read more »