Man City whistleblower to remain in witness protection

Rui Pinto, the 37-year-old founder of Football Leaks, will continue to receive protection after a decision to end it was suspended by Portuguese authorities. (BBC Sport) Pinto had been scheduled to leave the programme on Saturday, but a statement from the Ministry of Justice said the special security programmes commission had not adequately notified him of the grounds for termination or given him the opportunity to challenge the decision. (The Guardian — Sport)

Pinto disclosed confidential football documents, including emails and financial records, which helped trigger a Premier League investigation into Manchester City. (BBC Sport) The club was found guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons. (BBC Sport) They have appealed against the decision. (BBC Sport)

Pinto became part of Portugal's witness protection programme in 2020 after agreeing to co-operate with authorities and provide information obtained through the Football Leaks operation. (BBC Sport) However, in a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Justice said a decision to remove Pinto from witness protection had been reversed for the time being. (The Guardian — Sport)

Pinto will now be given 10 days to assess a risk assessment conducted by the special security programmes commission that indicates a low threat to his safety. (BBC Sport) He posted on social media thanking Portugal's Minister of Justice, Rita Alarcao Judice, and saying the commission's initial decision had clearly violated the law and amounted to a 'manifest abuse of power'. (The Guardian — Sport)

Pinto has described himself as a whistleblower, but was convicted in Portugal of offences including illegal access to data and attempted extortion and given a four-year suspended sentence. (BBC Sport) He wore a bulletproof vest during his first trial in 2020, which was also subject to heightened security measures. (BBC Sport)