Rui Pinto, Football Leaks hacker, enters witness protection

Rui Pinto, the hacker behind the ‘Football Leaks’ platform founded in 2015, has reportedly changed his identity and entered a witness protection program. Operating under the pseudonym ‘John,’ Pinto hacked the systems of football clubs, players, and institutions to expose what he described as the “hidden side of football.”

The massive data leaks had global repercussions, revealing information regarding alleged tax fraud involving high-profile players like Cristiano Ronaldo, financial irregularities within FIFA, and the recruitment of children in Africa. The documentation also provided the basis for the Premier League’s investigation into 115 financial charges against Manchester City, involving allegations of disguised sponsorship income.

Following his arrest in Budapest in 2019 and subsequent extradition to Portugal, Pinto was sentenced in 2023 to four years in prison for unauthorized access and attempted extortion. After serving 13 months, his sentence was suspended as part of a cooperation agreement with judicial authorities. In exchange for information and passwords, he was granted protection, including a secret residence and a new identity.