Manchester City Whistleblower Pinto to Lose Witness Protection Amid Death Threats

Rui Pinto, the whistleblower whose leaked documents underpinned findings against Manchester City in a Premier League disciplinary case, says he will lose his witness protection and go into hiding for an indefinite period amid death threats, following the league's guilty verdict against the club.

Pinto, a Portuguese national previously associated with the Football Leaks disclosures, has said the threats against him have intensified since the Premier League's ruling against Manchester City became public. He indicated the loss of formal protection would force him to take independent measures to ensure his safety.

The Premier League's guilty verdict against Manchester City followed a lengthy investigation into the club's financial conduct, with Pinto's leaked material having featured prominently in reporting and proceedings related to the case over several years.

Pinto has previously spoken publicly about the personal risks he has faced since the Football Leaks disclosures first emerged, including legal proceedings in Portugal connected to his activities as a hacker turned whistleblower.

It was not immediately clear what prompted the end of his witness protection or which authority had been responsible for providing it.