Rui Pinto prepared to assist UK authorities if offered protection

Rui Pinto is prepared to assist authorities in the United Kingdom if they provide protection from threats, according to a Guardian report published on Saturday. The whistleblower, whose disclosures helped prompt the Premier League investigation into Manchester City's finances, wants to continue cooperating with investigators while seeking a secure future outside Portugal. The report does not describe an agreed arrangement with British authorities.

Watch the highlights:

Pinto's position comes as his protection in Portugal faces withdrawal. His lawyers have appealed against that decision and say they have sought an explanation of the risk assessment without receiving a response, the Guardian reported. A crowdfunding campaign launched on Friday is intended to help him establish a new life. However, the newspaper says his priority remains cooperation with authorities, conditional on adequate security.

The potential offer involves both Pinto's familiarity with the material and the possibility of further evidence. According to the Guardian, he has detailed knowledge of the people, companies and documents involved in the City case, including documents that may have been overlooked. British authorities could decide to extend their inquiries beyond the sporting proceedings, but the report presents that as a possibility, not a confirmed development.

City confirmed on Friday that they would appeal against the independent commission's verdict. The Guardian reported that the club had been found guilty of more than 100 charges, with the commission finding that contracts had artificially increased income by £900 million. Pinto's disclosures of private documents helped set the investigation in motion. The club's announced appeal means it is contesting the ruling.

There is already a history of international cooperation involving Pinto's files. The Guardian says he has worked intermittently with French, German and Belgian authorities. After his arrest in Hungary and before his extradition to Portugal, French officials travelled to Budapest and copied material from his electronic devices. His wider collection includes documents gathered through both Football Leaks and Luanda Leaks, rather than material relating solely to City.

The next step remains conditional. If the end of his Portuguese protected-witness status is confirmed, Pinto would be free to cooperate with authorities elsewhere from 10 October, the newspaper reported. For now, his lawyers' challenge and the question of future security remain central to whether his stated willingness to help produces a new arrangement.