Rui Pinto plans to relocate to an undisclosed location following the Premier League’s verdict against Manchester City.
Published On 3 Oct 2026
Computer hacker and Manchester City whistleblower Rui Pinto has announced plans to enter an undisclosed location for an indefinite period after receiving multiple death threats. His decision comes as Portuguese authorities prepare to terminate his witness protection program on October 10, leaving him without security measures. The revelation follows the Portuguese government’s notification to Pinto that his protection status would end, creating what his lawyers describe as a “life-threatening situation.”
In a social media post on Friday, Pinto detailed his relocation plans, citing “multiple death threats” and a credible risk of assassination. His lawyer’s joint statement emphasized that the abrupt end to his protection program, which has shielded him since 2020, leaves him vulnerable despite ongoing investigations into powerful football figures.
The 37-year-old founder of Football Leaks, a platform known for exposing football corruption, obtained documents revealing Manchester City’s financial rule violations between 2009 and 2018. An independent commission recently found the club guilty of 114 out of 115 charges related to financial fairness regulations. Despite these findings, Manchester City has filed an appeal against the ruling, seeking to overturn the decision and avoid potential sanctions.
Pinto, who gained prominence after leaking sensitive football documents under the pseudonym “John” before his identity was revealed in 2019, has faced legal consequences for his activities. He received a suspended sentence in Portugal for hacking and related cybercrimes. His disclosures have sparked significant public debate in English football and led to multiple ongoing legal proceedings.
Following the Premier League’s verdict, Pinto expressed confidence that the ruling represents a “historic decision for English football.” To support himself during this critical period, he launched a GoFundMe campaign, emphasizing that the Portuguese state’s actions have deliberately placed his life in danger.
His lawyers argued that the termination of his protection program was inadequately justified, noting that he was not given a prior legal hearing before the decision. They highlighted his previous assault in Lisbon and the ongoing nature of legal cases connected to his disclosures, which continue to implicate influential individuals and organizations. The legal team underscored that Pinto now faces unprecedented vulnerability, worse than during his previous period of protection.