Football Leaks Whistleblower Rui Pinto Accuses FIFA President Gianni Infantino of Shielding Man City and PSG from FFP Sanctions

Rui Pinto Blasts FIFA Chief Over Financial Fair Play Controversies

Rui Pinto, the whistleblower behind Football Leaks, launched a fierce attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of protecting top clubs like Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain from severe financial penalties. Pinto claims Infantino's actions have damaged football's integrity and that he should be removed from the sport’s leadership.

Claims of Manipulation in FFP Cases

Manchester City was found guilty of breaching Premier League financial regulations over nine years, a conclusion drawn largely from documents leaked by Pinto in 2018. The club has yet to face sanctions as an appeal deadline looms on October 2.

On social media platform X, Pinto renewed his accusations, insisting that during Infantino's time as UEFA general secretary, he helped City and PSG dodge tougher European punishments. Reports first published by Der Spiegel highlighted how these two state-backed clubs allegedly inflated sponsorship deals to meet Financial Fair Play rules.

When Champions League bans threatened both teams in 2014, Pinto alleges that Infantino bypassed standard procedures to arrange lenient settlements. According to Pinto, Infantino abused his power by sharing confidential information and undermining investigations to ensure only fines were imposed, avoiding deeper probes that could have led to bans.

"Back in 2014, there was a man who was already aware of the irregularities involving Manchester City," Pinto wrote. "The infamous Gianni Infantino, then UEFA general secretary, abused his authority, shared confidential documents and, in short, outmanoeuvred the investigatory chamber, doing everything in his power to ensure that both Manchester City and PSG would merely receive a fine, avoiding a deeper investigation that could have led to a Champions League ban. All of these details were also revealed through Football Leaks. Given his actions as UEFA general secretary and, more recently, as FIFA president, I can only say, in my humble opinion, that Gianni Infantino has become a cancer on football and should have no place in the future of the game."

Responses and Ongoing Scrutiny

UEFA defended Infantino at the time, saying his role included helping find solutions for investigating bodies. Infantino rejected the criticism, describing his conduct as professional and part of normal discussions and document exchanges.

Paris Saint-Germain denied wrongdoing, asserting they have always complied fully with all rules and are among the most thoroughly audited clubs in football.

Despite these denials, Infantino faces increasing pressure. The Swiss Football Association recently withdrew its support, citing worries about his governance, transparency, and decision-making after reviewing recent controversies.

Upcoming Deadlines and Future Stakes

• October 2: Deadline for Manchester City to appeal the Premier League verdict on financial breaches.
• March 2027: Gianni Infantino aims for a fourth term as FIFA president.
• November 18: Last day for challengers to announce campaigns against Infantino.

The final decisions on City's sanctions could shape their future dominance in English football. Meanwhile, Infantino's leadership is under scrutiny by European officials unhappy with his management style and past actions, signaling a potentially turbulent path ahead in football governance.

Relevant Fixtures

• Champions League Match: Manchester City vs Paris Saint-Germain
• Date & Time: 14 October 2026, 22:00