Rui Pinto will remain under witness protection after Portugal's special security programmes commission (CPES) annulled its earlier decision to withdraw his protection. The commission acknowledged that Pinto had not been adequately informed of the grounds for termination or given an opportunity to challenge the decision before it was implemented. The Manchester City whistleblower can now formally contest the withdrawal, with the commission set to reconsider the matter following his response to newly disclosed risk assessments.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Justice, the CPES recognised procedural failures in how the termination was handled. According to Portuguese media reports, the CPES declared the 22 September decision, the subsequent procedure and the 30 September notification null, meaning Pinto's protection remains in force until the commission reaches a new determination.
The commission will now provide Pinto with the risk assessment reports underpinning its original decision. According to available documentation, the original decision cited not only a low-risk assessment by the Public Security Police (PSP), but also an alleged lack of commitment by Pinto to comply with the programme's requirements. Pinto has 10 working days to review this documentation and respond to the reasoning and conclusions presented by the commission.
How did this reversal come about?
The CPES met on 8 June and 9 July 2026 before deciding to end the programme, with the termination originally scheduled to take effect on 10 October. The decision to suspend the termination and allow Pinto to present his case represents a significant shift in the authorities' approach, apparently prompted by growing scrutiny of the handling of the whistleblower's case.
Pinto's protected-witness status dates to April 2020, when Portugal's judicial police (PJ) placed him under protection after he agreed to provide investigators with access to millions of files obtained from football clubs, companies linked to Angolan businesswoman Isabel dos Santos and other entities suspected of criminal activity. His disclosures have informed investigations by judicial, tax and sporting authorities across Europe, including the Premier League's inquiry into Manchester City. Manchester City was found guilty on 114 of 115 Premier League financial charges in September 2026, a verdict that has intensified scrutiny of the sources and evidence underpinning such investigations.
What risks does Pinto face?
Pinto's lawyers argue that the authorities must consider his cooperation with the justice system and the substantial risks associated with his revelations before withdrawing his protection. He has voiced serious concerns for his safety, citing credible death threats and a physical assault in Lisbon in April 2026. The prospect of losing his protection had prompted him to launch a fundraising campaign to help secure his financial future.
Pinto's background adds context to these safety concerns. According to international reporting, Pinto was arrested in Budapest in 2019, extradited to Portugal and held in pre-trial detention until April 2020. He received a four-year suspended sentence in 2023 for offences including illegal access to data and attempted extortion. His willingness to cooperate with authorities despite this criminal conviction underscores the sensitivity of his position.
What happens next?
After receiving the risk reassessment and relevant meeting records, Pinto has 10 working days to respond to the proposed grounds for termination. Following that response period, the CPES will decide whether to continue or end the programme. Pinto remains willing to cooperate with British authorities investigating Manchester City and other matters arising from his disclosures. He has also handed millions of documents to investigators in France, which can now be shared with other countries, including the United Kingdom.
Key Facts:
- The CPES annulled its 22 September decision to terminate Pinto's protection, citing procedural failures in notification and opportunity to respond
- Pinto has 10 working days to review risk assessments and respond before the commission makes a final determination
- His protected-witness status has been in place since April 2020, following his agreement to share millions of files with Portuguese investigators
- Pinto has reported credible death threats and physical assault, citing safety concerns as grounds for maintaining protection
- His disclosures have informed investigations across Europe, including the Premier League's inquiry into Manchester City
