Rui Pinto, the Portuguese computer hacker whose document releases triggered the Premier League investigation into Manchester City, will continue to receive witness protection. Authorities in Portugal have suspended a decision that would have seen him leave the programme on Saturday.
Pinto, 37, the founder of Football Leaks, disclosed confidential football documents, including emails and financial records related to the English Premier League side. These documents were shared with German magazine Der Spiegel in 2018, which used them for investigations into City's finances and alleged breaches of financial fair play rules.
Portugal's Ministry of Justice stated on Friday that the decision to remove Pinto from witness protection was reversed because the special security programmes commission had not adequately notified him of the grounds for termination or given him an opportunity to challenge it. Pinto will now have 10 days to assess a risk assessment indicating a low threat to his safety.
Pinto, who describes himself as a whistleblower, became part of Portugal's witness protection programme in 2020 after agreeing to co-operate with authorities. He was previously convicted in Portugal of offences including illegal access to data and attempted extortion, receiving a four-year suspended sentence.