Rui Pinto’s lawyers in talks with UK authorities over cooperation deal for whistleblower

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has contacted Rui Pinto after it emerged he was willing to assist British authorities with their investigations in exchange for protection. If an agreement is reached, the Football Leaks founder could become a significant source of information in investigations into financial crime involving football, law firms and powerful business figures.

Between 2015 and 2019, Pinto collected tens of millions of files containing sensitive information. He may be able to assist the SFO in identifying potential tax offences and other irregularities that would otherwise have gone undetected. The development comes at a significant moment for the 38-year-old Pinto, with his future under Portugal’s witness protection programme uncertain.

Past revelations and legal troubles

Pinto rose to prominence by exposing some of the football industry’s most closely guarded secrets. These included Cristiano Ronaldo’s tax affairs, plans by Europe’s leading clubs to establish a breakaway European Super League and a series of controversial financial arrangements. His revelations triggered investigations and contributed to legal proceedings involving clubs and players across several countries.

More recently, documents collected and leaked by the whistleblower became relevant to the Premier League’s investigation into Manchester City, which resulted in the club being found in breach of financial rules. The information gathered by Pinto is in the possession of French authorities, who previously sought to include him in a witness protection programme.

Pinto was informed on 30 September that he would no longer be protected by the Portuguese authorities after six years under the witness protection programme. Although the authorities maintained there was no threat to his life, he was advised not to express opinions on controversial issues, to avoid crowded places and to limit the time spent with family members.

Awaiting a final ruling

Pinto was given 10 days’ warning, even though a decision had been taken in July, and the ruling’s implementation was suspended after it was established he had not been given an opportunity to mount a challenge or appeal. He then appealed and is awaiting a final ruling.

In 2023 Pinto was given a suspended four-year prison sentence in Portugal for attempted extortion and cybercrime offences. He was acquitted in a second case involving similar charges two years later. The public prosecutor’s office and Benfica, one of the clubs hacked by Pinto, appealed against the ruling.

Supporters regard Pinto as a whistleblower who cast light on corruption, whereas detractors argue that his tactics breached legal standards and moral principles. His disclosures reached far beyond football. Details involving magistrates, legal professionals and public officials were made public and he served as the whistleblower behind Luanda Leaks, which exposed the inner workings of the business empire of Africa’s richest woman, Isabel dos Santos.