In the long shadow of UEFA’s old Financial Fair Play files, Rui Pinto has returned to the debate over Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, directing fresh and severe criticism at FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The Portuguese computer specialist behind Football Leaks says Infantino’s conduct in European football should disqualify him from any role in the game’s future.
The news from the club
Pinto’s disclosures were central to the scrutiny that later surrounded Manchester City’s financial affairs. Documents published in 2018 brought details of sponsorship arrangements, revenues and other financial dealings into public view, prompting subsequent investigations by UEFA and the Premier League.
The Premier League’s ruling covered nine seasons and found Manchester City responsible for most of the financial allegations brought against the club. City have denied wrongdoing and intend to challenge the outcome.
Pinto now alleges that Infantino, while serving as UEFA general secretary, played a part in ensuring that City and Paris Saint-Germain faced financial penalties rather than potentially harsher sporting sanctions in their respective Financial Fair Play cases.
He said Infantino had knowledge of City’s alleged irregularities as early as 2014, and accused him of misusing his authority, passing on confidential material and bypassing UEFA’s investigatory body. Pinto’s central claim is that the intervention helped both clubs avoid a punishment which could have included exclusion from the Champions League.
“There was already someone in 2014 who knew fully about Manchester City’s irregularities,” Pinto said. “Gianni Infantino, then UEFA’s general secretary, abused his power, shared confidential information and went around the investigating chamber so that City and PSG would receive only a fine rather than a bigger punishment.”
The Football Leaks founder went further in a separate condemnation of the FIFA president, arguing that Infantino should leave his positions in football.
“Considering his actions at UEFA and, more recently, as FIFA president, Gianni Infantino has, in my humble view, become a cancer for football and should have no place in this game’s future,” Pinto said.
The road to FIFA’s 2027 election
The remarks arrive during a period of growing pressure on Infantino in international football. Several national associations have raised concerns in recent months over FIFA governance, transparency and decision-making procedures.
One recent point of contention was FIFA Forward Enterprise, a proposed commercial structure intended to raise additional money for football development. The plan was later withdrawn after drawing questions from organisations across the international game.
Infantino is seeking a fourth term as FIFA president at elections scheduled for March 2027. Any alternative candidates must submit their nominations by 18 November.
