Portuguese authorities took nearly three months to inform Rui Pinto that his status as a protected witness would be terminated, according to documents obtained by a news outlet. Pinto, known for exposing alleged financial irregularities at Manchester City football club, was notified on September 30 that his protection would end in 10 days, despite the decision having been made on July 8 and 9.
The Special Security Programmes Commission (CPES), the body overseeing Portugal’s witness protection, assessed Pinto’s case in early July and concluded that the threat level against him was low, thus no longer justifying special protective measures. However, Pinto was left uninformed of the outcome for 83 days. This short notice leaves the whistleblower with limited time to secure a safe residence, establish a new livelihood, and avoid contact with family members, according to his legal team.
Pinto entered Portugal’s witness protection program in 2020 after agreeing to provide authorities with millions of documents prior to his arrest. These documents have fueled investigations by judicial, tax, and sporting authorities throughout Europe, including the Premier League’s probe into Manchester City’s financial dealings. Pinto’s lawyers have argued that the risk to their client remains significant due to his ongoing cooperation and the sensitive nature of the disclosures.
Requests for comment from CPES on the decision criteria and the lengthy delay in notification went unanswered. On the day Pinto was informed of the impending end to his protection—September 30—the news was overshadowed by the Premier League’s public confirmation of a guilty verdict against Manchester City, tied to the information Pinto helped uncover.
Following public and media scrutiny, Portugal’s justice minister, Rita Alarcão Júdice, acknowledged on October 7 that the case is under review and promised a response by the date Pinto’s protection expires. “If there has been any irregularity, or if any procedure was not handled as it should have been, that will, of course, be taken into consideration,” she said.
Pinto’s legal representative, Francisco Teixeira da Mota, confirmed plans to appeal the decision, highlighting that Pinto was not consulted prior to its issuance, a move they claim contravenes European Court of Human Rights standards. Pinto’s defense team has harshly criticized the authorities for the delay and manner of notification, describing the decision as “an act of state terrorism.”
Despite uncertainties over his protection status, Pinto reportedly remains willing to assist British investigators with ongoing inquiries linked to the Manchester City case and other matters traced to his findings. Having submitted millions of documents to French authorities, Pinto’s information is being shared internationally under mutual cooperation agreements.
The situation has raised concerns about the management of witness protection protocols in Portugal, particularly regarding the rights and safety of individuals who provide critical information in complex legal cases spanning multiple countries.