The press release from my lawyers Francisco Teixeira da Mota, Luisa Teixeira da Mota, William Bourdon and Vincent Brengarth regarding the outrageous actions taken against me by the Portuguese State on Wednesday:
PRESS RELEASE
Lisbon and Paris, October 2, 2026
End of Rui Pinto’s protection: his lawyers call on Portuguese authorities to reconsider a decision with dire consequences
Rui Pinto, the whistleblower behind "Football Leaks," has been notified on Wednesday that the special security program he has benefited from since August 2020 will end on October 10. In a few days, without being heard beforehand, as required by law, he would lose the protected, confidential residence assigned to him and l be forced to find new housing urgently, with no guarantee that police protection will continue.
His situation is now critical. The threats against him are not merely theoretical; he was assaulted in Lisbon last April. His revelations implicated powerful figures with vast resources, and many resulting legal proceedings are still ongoing, as evidenced by the decision handed down just days ago by the Premier League’s independent commission regarding Manchester City. Abruptly deprived of his protected housing and plunged into a state of extreme precariousness, Rui Pinto would be more vulnerable now than at any time since 2020.
Rui Pinto has cooperated with the Portuguese justice system, and it was this cooperation that justified placing him under protection. His revelations, utilized by numerous judicial, tax, and sports authorities across Europe, starting with France, have advanced transparency and integrity in football. The states that have benefited from his actions cannot simply turn their backs on the person who took the risk to bring them to light.
In accordance with the law, an administrative appeal with suspensive effect will be filed against this decision. Rui Pinto’s lawyers, confident that the Portuguese authorities would give due consideration to his situation, asked, last Wednesday, the ministry of Justice to reconsider this decision, to disclose the details of the risk reassessment upon which it is based, to ensure that their client is heard, and to guarantee, in any event, the continuity of his protection. No answer was received till now.
This decision and the way it was made, regrettably, doesn’t respect the rule of law and constitutes an act of state terrorism. We can’t accept that.
Francisco Teixeira da Mota
Luisa Teixeira da Mota
William Bourdon
Vincent Brengarth
One SMS. One screen-sharing app. And full access to your accounts. Maya Fisher-French @mayaonmoney explains how the remote access trap works - Brought to you by Standard Bank @StandardBankZA
Read the full story: https://t.co/5R9Mbg3kHw
Los eers die kruistog in Washington, bring kos en te drinke en kom bou saam met Betereinders 'n sokkerbal-monument terwyl die kinders sokker speel. As jy nog nie 'n sokkerbal geborg het nie, doen jou deel vir 'n SA met minder geweld en borg een of meer balle by https://t.co/v82JS5Rsnn
Leave the crusade to Washington behind for a while - bring some food and drinks and join Betereinders for a braai, the building of a soccer ball monument and soccer playing for the kids! If you haven’t sponsored a soccer ball yet, do your bit for a less violent South Africa by sponsoring one or more balls at: https://t.co/v82JS5Rsnn
One goalkeeper save in 90 minutes and one big chance created all match. In stoppage time.
But yes, let's keep talking about one refereeing decision. #MUFC
https://t.co/Zijlfl5bHP
Zverev d. Shelton 6-3 7-6(2) 5-7 6-2
Sascha wins his 1st U.S. Open title & his 2nd Slam of 2026.
He’s now 6-0 against Ben in the head-to-head.
✅26th title
✅60th top 10 win
After years of doubt building up on whether he’d ever win a Slam, he ends 2026 with 2 of them.
🇩🇪🤯
Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime in one of the most monumental Linkin Park media moments for the clip below, has passed away. Such a distinctive and rich voice and a wonderful talent. Thank you for being a part of something for us all.
Too much talk about Bruno Fernandes again, blah blah blah.
I know what I see. For me, he is the best player Manchester United have had since Sir Alex Ferguson left. Not even particularly close.
And honestly, I don't care what anyone thinks about him anymore. I don't care if you think he's too wasteful, too emotional, gives the ball away too much, whatever. You're entitled to your opinion. It just doesn't change mine in the slightest.
I've watched this guy turn up week after week, play through everything, create something out of absolutely nothing and carry ridiculous responsibility for this club for years.
He wants the ball. He wants the responsibility. He wants to decide games. Even when things are going badly, he never disappears. He still wants it. That's what I want from a Manchester United player.
I wouldn't swap him for anyone when it comes to leading this team. Every single matchweek, I want Bruno Fernandes walking out first, wearing the armband, dragging everyone else with him.
He's my favourite post-Fergie United player by a mile. And I genuinely think we'll look back one day and realise we had an absolute all-timer playing for us.
You can say whatever you want about Bruno. I really couldn't care less.
Bruno fucking Fernandes. That's my captain.
The Ronaldo Rulebook: Heads He Loses, Tails He Loses
Football doesn’t hate Ronaldo. It hates consistency.
Because with Ronaldo, the rules change every 5 minutes.
The "Mentality" Rule
Team wins 2-0, Ronaldo doesn’t score _"Selfish. Bad attitude. Only cares about himself."
Barça wins 5-0, Yamal cries for not scoring "Mentality monster. Elite winner. That’s the standard."
So wanting goals is toxic when it’s CR7, but leadership when it’s anyone else?
The "Body" Rule
2003: _"Too skinny. Won’t survive the PL.
He hits the gym, eats clean, becomes a Greek statue.
2025: "Why is he always flexing? Thinks he’s a model."
Bro was told to get bigger. He did. Now he’s punished for listening.
3. The "Evolution" Rule
Ronaldo starts as a skillful winger. Dribbles, assists, showtime.
Team needs goals he drops the tricks, becomes a machine. 800+ goals.
Response: _"He’s not even technical. Just a poacher. Just penalties."
Messi adds goals to his game _"GOAT evolution."
Ronaldo does it "He sold out."
You can’t ask a player to adapt for the team and then erase his old game to discredit him.
The "Penalty" Rule
Ronaldo masters penalties _"Tap-in merchant. Stat-padding.
Messi wins World Cup with 6 penalties → "Carried Argentina. Clutch gene.
Messi then misses 3 pens in a row ..let’s not talk about that."
A goal is a goal until the wrong person scores it.
This was never about football.
It’s about a kid from Madeira who was told he wasn’t good enough, got good enough, then got too good.
And now people are rewriting history to cope.
You told him to get stronger. He did.
You told him to score more. He did.
You told him to win. He did.
Now you’re mad he did everything you asked.
You can’t eat your cake and have it.
Pick a lane.