5 months ago
26
Manchester City
Manchester City face the release of hundreds of incriminating club emails and documents — by hacker Rui Pinto, who is behind the Football Leaks scandal.
The Sun reports that Pinto has threatened to disclose explosive new papers he believes will show City deliberately cheated Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules.
The 35-year-old gained access to thousands of City’s emails and handed some to the media in 2018 — but kept hold of most of the documents.
The financial information previously leaked included details of ex-manager Roberto Mancini’s contract, as well as image-rights agreements involving Yaya Toure’s agents and emails about the club’s sponsorship income.
Pinto is preparing to release new documents, with City due before a hearing into 115 Premier League charges for alleged financial irregularities in November.
City are accused of concealing payments through third parties by disguising them as sponsorship revenue. They have denied all the charges and any wrongdoing.
It is thought some of the evidence that will be used at the hearing is as a result of Football Leaks.
Pinto, in a witness protection programme since 2020, told the OffShore-Alert Marbella Conference via video link from his safe house: “The Man City releases showed amounts of money being paid into by the club that were not mentioned to the football authorities.
“These documents form part of the Premier League investigation into City. I have now handed five hard drives to French and German authorities with millions of documents, including more on City and I have described what is on each.
“I am confident they will find criminal relevancy.”
A legal representative for Pinto added: “We have been approached by investigators to share information regarding Manchester City that has not been released before.
“We haven’t released the information yet but we have a massive file of Manchester City-related documents that has yet to be released.
“The files will be published at some point, we cannot say when but we will do it.”
Pinto revealed he has received anonymous death threats since Football Leaks.
He added: “I know that a group of European football clubs were investigating me.
“They met in London and were very worried about new leaks. They were looking to gather information about my life.”
Last season City landed a record fourth consecutive Premier League title after once again finishing ahead of Arsenal.
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