Rui Pinto, the whistleblower whose leaks sparked the Premier League's investigation into Manchester City's financial affairs, is reportedly ready to assist UK authorities with their legal case. This cooperation is contingent on him receiving protection from threats.
Pinto's priority is to cooperate, provided adequate security arrangements are put in place, despite a crowdfunding campaign launched on Friday to fund a new life after he leaves the protection of the Portuguese police. He is willing to continue as a protected witness in another country, possessing detailed knowledge of documents, individuals, and companies involved in the case, along with potentially overlooked documents.
Manchester City confirmed on Friday that they will appeal against the tribunal's verdict. An independent commission found City guilty of over 100 charges, uncovering what it described as "sham" contracts designed to artificially boost income by £900m, an investigation prompted by Pinto's leaks.
If his status as a protected witness in Portugal is not confirmed, Pinto will be free to cooperate with authorities in other countries from 10 October. He has previously cooperated sporadically with French, German, and Belgian authorities, and the UK could now join that list.