Rui Pinto willing to assist UK authorities over Manchester City in exchange for protection
Rui Pinto, the Portuguese whistleblower whose leaks prompted the Premier League’s investigation into Manchester City’s finances, is prepared to assist UK authorities in their legal case in exchange for protection, the Guardian understands on Friday. His readiness to cooperate is conditional on receiving adequate security arrangements.
Pinto's disclosures of thousands of private documents triggered the inquiry and an independent commission found City guilty of more than 100 charges. The commission said "sham" contracts had been used to inflate income by £900m. City confirmed on Friday it will appeal against the tribunal's verdict. British authorities could decide to extend their inquiry; Portugal has already widened its own investigation in relation to some of Pinto's documents.
A crowdfunding campaign launched on Friday aims to finance Pinto's new life after he leaves the protection of the Portuguese police. Despite that fundraising, the whistleblower's stated priority remains to cooperate with authorities if security can be guaranteed. At the time of writing more than €19,000 (£16,530) had already been raised.
Pinto collected hundreds of millions of files as part of Football Leaks and Luanda Leaks that are not solely held by Portuguese authorities. Between his arrest in Hungary and his extradition to Portugal, French authorities travelled to Budapest and copied the contents of all electronic devices in his possession. Those materials can be shared between countries under international cooperation arrangements, including with the UK.
Just days before his arrest in Budapest in January 2019 Pinto was negotiating entry into a French witness protection programme; that initiative was halted by the Portuguese authorities. He has cooperated sporadically with French, German and Belgian authorities. With detailed knowledge of the documents, individuals and companies involved, Pinto is reported willing to continue as a protected witness in another country.
Pinto was acquitted of 241 counts after a second trial in Portugal in April this year. His defence protested the decision to end his protection, accusing Portugal of "state terrorism". His lawyers said they had appealed the decision and had sought to establish how the risk assessment had been carried out but had received no response. Pinto says he wants to leave Portugal for a secret location.
If it is confirmed that 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 is awaiting clarity on that status and on what his future holds.