Portugal's Rui Pinto, the man behind the "Football Leaks" revelations that exposed financial irregularities attributed to Manchester City and threw European football into turmoil, says his life is now in danger. The warning follows a decision by the Portuguese authorities to end his place in the witness protection programme, which had given him a secret residence and round-the-clock security.
Writing on his account on the "X" platform, Pinto said the committee running the programme had told him his participation was over. He branded the decision a genuine threat to his life, having already received death threats amid fears he could be the target of an assassination attempt. Within days, he added, he would be forced to move to an undisclosed location for an indefinite period.
His legal team hit back at the withdrawal, demanding the Portuguese authorities think again and warning of the security and legal fallout. Several judicial proceedings tied to the information he exposed are still ongoing, his lawyers pointed out.
Manchester City case at the heart of the storm
Among the reasons the defence gave for their objection was the ongoing nature of the proceedings linked to the "Football Leaks" revelations. That includes the Manchester City case, with the club facing more than 100 alleged breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations.
While those cases drag on, the lawyers argue, the potential risks to Pinto's safety must be weighed before anyone strips...
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