According to The Sun, Manchester City is facing a potential leak of hundreds of club emails and documents by a hacker involved in the football leak scandal. The 35-year-old hacker, Rui Pinto, claims to have explosive new information that will substantiate intentional FFP (Financial Fair Play) rule breaches by the Etihad-based club. In 2018, Pinto accessed thousands of emails and shared some with the media, but he has held onto many others. Previously disclosed financial details included former manager Roberto Mancini’s contract specifics, Yaya Touré’s agent’s image rights agreement, and emails regarding sponsorship income.
City is scheduled to appear at an FA hearing in November over 115 alleged financial irregularities. Despite denying all charges, it’s believed that some evidence may come from the football leaks. Currently under witness protection, Pinto, speaking from a safe house via video link, told Offshore Alert’s Marbella meeting: “Documents released by City show payments made without mentioning them to local football associations. These are part of an investigation by the Premier League into City. I’ve handed over five hard drives to French and German authorities, containing millions of files, including more on City, detailing each file’s content. I’m confident they’ll find criminal relevance.”
Pinto’s legal representative added, “We’ve been contacted by investigators for unpublicized information about City. We haven’t released these yet, but we possess a massive file on City that remains unpublished. It will be released at some point, though the timing is uncertain, but we will do so.”
Pinto disclosed receiving anonymous death threats since the football leaks began. He also mentioned European clubs’ concerns about a new leak and their efforts to gather information about him. As a result of the leaks, UEFA imposed a record two-year European ban on City for FFP violations, which they successfully overturned with a £25 million fine.
Leaked details included Messi and Neymar’s salary specifics, Ronaldo’s tax evasion allegations, and information about Bale’s £86 million transfer from Spurs to Real Madrid in 2013. Pinto is also known for exposing plans for the European Super League in 2018. Following a conviction for illegally accessing PSG’s confidential data last November, he received a six-month suspended sentence.
Manchester City expressed surprise at the upcoming FFP investigation, stating, “The club welcomes the independent committee’s review to impartially consider the robust evidence supporting our position. We look forward to this matter being resolved.”
