Rui Pinto on the Run: Football Leaks Founder Fears for His Life

Rui Pinto is gearing up to leave Portugal due to serious safety concerns after being taken out of the country’s witness protection program. The Football Leaks founder has claimed he's been hit with multiple death threats and believes there’s a significant risk of an assassination attempt against him. This alarming news came just days after Manchester City was found guilty of 115 charges, sparked by Pinto's leaks of confidential documents. In a statement released on Friday, Pinto expressed his fear for his life following the decision made by Portuguese authorities on September 30, 2026. He stated, "Just hours after the verdict against Manchester City, I was informed that my witness protection status had been revoked, leaving me in a life-threatening situation." Faced with these dire circumstances, Pinto announced his plan to relocate to an undisclosed location soon. To help fund his escape, he has initiated a GoFundMe campaign aiming to raise €3 million (£2.55 million), which saw an initial response of €4,000 within just half an hour. "I want to thank everyone supporting Football Leaks. I guarantee that our fight will continue," he added. Pinto's legal team is already preparing to appeal the decision that stripped him of his protection, arguing he is more exposed now than he has been since 2020. They contend that the choice was made without giving him the chance to defend himself, describing the situation as a failure to uphold the rule of law. In their plea to the Portuguese Ministry of Justice, his lawyers requested a review of the decision and demanded transparency regarding the risk assessment that led to it. "His situation is now critical," they emphasized. "The threats against him are real; last April, he was assaulted in Lisbon. His disclosures have implicated powerful figures, and many legal proceedings stemming from his revelations are still ongoing, as shown by the Premier League’s recent ruling against Manchester City." Pinto initially entered the witness protection program after aiding the justice system, with his revelations sparking investigations across Europe, including the Premier League's inquiry into financial misconduct. His lawyers argue that the risks associated with his disclosures, along with his cooperation, should have been considered before terminating his protection. They condemned the decision as a breach of the rule of law, labeling it an act of state terrorism. "We cannot accept this, and we will fight back," they declared.