The Sun reports that Man City is facing the leak of hundreds of club emails and documents, at the hands of the hackers behind the Football Leaks scandal. ‘Hacker’ Rui Pinto, 35, is threatening to cause further chaos in the footballing world, with the Portuguese claiming explosive new files will show Man City deliberately breaching Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules. Pinto gained access to thousands of emails from the Etihad-based club, and shared some with the media in 2018, but kept the majority of files.
Previous leaked financial information included details of former manager Mancini’s contract, as well as Yaya Toure’s agent’s image rights deal and emails about the club’s sponsorship revenue. Pinto is now set to release new files as Man City face a hearing in November over 115 alleged financial breaches from the Premier League.
Man City has denied all the allegations and any wrongdoing. It is believed that some of the evidence to be used at the hearing is a result of Football Leaks.
Pinto, who has been living under witness protection since 2020, told the Offshore Alert Marbella conference via video link from his safe house: “The documents published by Man City show that the amount of money the club paid was not mentioned to local football associations. These documents are part of the Premier League investigation into Man City. I have now handed over five hard drives to the French and German authorities, including millions of documents, including more on Man City, where I have described what each document contains. I believe they will find the criminal relevance.”
Pinto’s legal representative added: “We have been contacted by investigators to share information about Man City that has not been released before. We have not yet published this information, but we have a huge archive on Man City that has not yet been released. These documents will be published at some point, and we cannot say when, but we will do it.”
Pinto revealed that he has received anonymous death threats since Football Leaks. He added: “I know that some European football clubs are investigating me. They are meeting in London, very concerned about the new leaks. They are trying to gather information about my life.”
Pinto’s actions forced UEFA to hand Man City a record two-year European ban for breaching FFP rules, but City successfully overturned the ban, paying a £25 million fine instead.
The details of Messi and Neymar’s salaries, as well as details of Ronaldo’s alleged tax evasion, were also exposed, along with information about Gareth Bale’s £86m move from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013.
Pinto is also known for leaking plans for the formation of the European Super League in 2018. He was handed a six-month suspended sentence last November after admitting to illegally accessing confidential information from French champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Man City said they were “surprised” by the impending FFP investigation. They added: “The club welcomes the independent commission’s review of this matter so that it can fairly consider the full and irrefutable evidence that supports its position. As such, we look forward to this matter being concluded.”
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