Rui Pinto, the computer hacker known for exposing sensitive football documents via the Football Leaks website, has publicly stated that Fifa president Gianni Infantino should have no place in the future of the game. His comments, shared via social media, specifically highlight allegations from 2018 that Infantino, during his tenure as Uefa general secretary, intervened to shield Manchester City and Paris St-Germain from severe Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions. Having conversations, exchanging documents, drafts, ideas, whatever, on many, many, many, many, topics, infantino similarly pointed to how his “job entails having discussions.
These allegations originally surfaced through data leaked to the German publication Der Spiegel. According to the documents, both clubs reportedly inflated sponsorship deals to satisfy FFP regulations. When they faced potential disciplinary action, claims suggest that Infantino helped negotiate more lenient penalties in 2014, including financial fines instead of more damaging punishments like a Champions League exclusion.
The information brought to light by Football Leaks served as a foundation for a separate investigation by European football’s governing body, Uefa, and eventually contributed to the Premier League’s probe into Manchester City. While City has recently been found guilty of breaching financial rules over a nine-year duration, the club denies all wrongdoing and maintains a right to appeal before the 2 October deadline.
In his recent statement, 37-year-old Pinto described the actions of the current Fifa president as an abuse of authority. He alleged that Infantino deliberately maneuvered around Uefa’s investigatory chamber to protect specific clubs. Pinto concluded his message by labeling Infantino as a negative influence on the sport. Back in 2014, there was a man who was already aware of the irregularities involving Manchester City,” 37-year-old Portuguese Pinto wrote on Wednesday.
Uefa, addressing the 2018 allegations, defended its internal processes by stating that the general secretary’s role included assisting with interactions and finding solutions for clubs under investigation. Infantino himself has consistently denied wrongdoing, asserting that his professional duties required regular communication, document exchange, and meetings to defend the interests of football. So if then this is being portrayed as something bad, I think there’s not much I can do more than my job in an honest way, in a professional way and trying to defend the interests of football.
Pressure is mounting on the Fifa president beyond these specific accusations. The Swiss Football Association (SFV) has formally withdrawn its support for Infantino, citing fundamental concerns regarding governance, transparency, and decision-making within the organization. This follows a comprehensive review of recent developments.
Furthermore, Uefa has previously leveled accusations of criminal mismanagement against the Fifa president concerning the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme. These controversies coincide with earlier scrutiny regarding aborted plans to sell stakes in the World Cup.
Gianni Infantino, first elected as president in 2016, is currently slated to run for a fourth term in March 2027. Opponents aiming to challenge his presidency must secure support and find an alternative candidate before the 18 November deadline.
At the time of the original allegations, Paris St-Germain released a statement asserting that the club has always acted in full compliance with the laws and regulations enacted by sports institutions. The club explicitly denied any wrongdoing, noting that it has been one of the most heavily scrutinized organizations in football history since the inception of FFP regulations.
