Attorneys for whistleblower Rui Pinto have confirmed that he is in negotiations with United Kingdom authorities regarding potential collaboration on investigations into financial and sporting crimes.
As reported by The Guardian, the contact was initiated by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office, a government department focused on complex economic crime.
Pinto has previously expressed a willingness to assist British authorities in exchange for security guarantees. When reached by The Guardian, Pinto’s lawyer, William Bourdon, confirmed the ongoing discussions but declined to provide specific details, stating: Posso confirmar que o processo está em andamento.
If an agreement is finalized, Pinto would be expected to help UK investigators identify irregularities and financial misconduct that might otherwise remain undetected. The development comes at a time of uncertainty regarding Pinto’s status within the witness protection program in Portugal, where he has been a protected witness for six years following his initial cooperation with local authorities.
While it was previously announced that his protection status would conclude in October—potentially resulting in the loss of housing, police security, and subsistence subsidies—the Portuguese Ministry of Justice has opted to maintain the security program pending a new decision from the Special Security Programs Commission.
Pinto gained international prominence for his role in the Football Leaks project, which exposed sensitive documents concerning the financial operations of major European football clubs and the tax dealings of high-profile figures, including Cristiano Ronaldo, José Mourinho, and Neymar. His disclosures have served as the foundation for numerous legal investigations across several countries.
Notably, Pinto was responsible for uncovering documentation relevant to the Premier League’s ongoing investigation into Manchester City. These records, which reportedly detail alleged breaches of financial regulations by the club, are currently in the possession of French authorities.
Pinto’s potential cooperation with the UK occurs against the backdrop of his complex legal history. In September 2023, the Central Criminal Court of Lisbon sentenced him to a four-year suspended prison term for attempted extortion, aggravated violation of correspondence, and illegitimate access. He was subsequently acquitted of other charges in April of this year.
In November 2023, Pinto received a six-month suspended sentence in France for the illegal access of emails belonging to Paris Saint-Germain.
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