Rui Pinto, the whistleblower whose leaks triggered an investigation into Manchester City's financial misconduct, is in talks with the UK Serious Fraud Office to help uncover financial and sporting crime in exchange for police protection, according to British media reports.
The SFO did not confirm the discussions. "In line with long-established practice to avoid prejudice to law enforcement activity, we can neither confirm nor deny any investigation into this matter," the agency said. Pinto appeared to confirm the reports by reposting an article on social media.
Pinto's lawyer, William Bourdon, told The Guardian: "I can confirm that the process is under way."
Pinto founded Football Leaks, which obtained documents showing Manchester City broke league rules from 2009 to 2018. City was found guilty of all but one of 115 charges brought by the Premier League.
Pinto said last month that Portugal's witness protection programme would end on October 10, citing death threats and assassination concerns. He launched a crowdfunding campaign to help establish a new life. Portugal's Ministry of Justice later said it would extend his protection pending a new hearing after his lawyers challenged the decision.
Pinto was given a four-year suspended sentence in September 2023 for illegally obtaining documents and other cybercrimes. He was acquitted on 241 separate counts in April 2026 after the court ruled the charges were invalid.