Report: Hacker Threatens to Unveil Man City Documents

Manchester City Faces Renewed Allegations of FFP Breach: What It Means for the Club

In a new twist to the ongoing Financial Fair Play (FFP) saga surrounding Manchester City, Rui Pinto, the hacker behind the Football Leaks scandal, has threatened to release additional documents that he claims will prove the club’s deliberate breach of FFP rules. Pinto, who gained access to thousands of City emails in 2018, asserts that these documents will show “criminal relevancy,” potentially intensifying the scrutiny on the reigning Premier League champions.

The Hacker’s Claims and Past Revelations

Pinto, currently in a witness protection program, has already shared “millions” of documents with authorities in Germany and France. He remains confident that these documents will substantiate the allegations against Manchester City. “The Man City releases showed amounts of money being paid into by the club that were not mentioned to the football authorities,” Pinto stated during a video link at the Offshore-Alert Marbella Conference.

In the past, Pinto’s leaks have led to significant consequences for City, including a two-year European ban by UEFA in 2020, later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Despite the reversal, the club was fined nearly £25 million for financial irregularities. The new batch of documents could reignite the debate over City’s compliance with FFP regulations.

The Pending Premier League Investigation

Manchester City is set to face a hearing into their 115 Premier League charges for alleged financial irregularities later this year. These charges, dating from 2009 to 2018, include failures to provide accurate financial information, details of player and manager payments, and compliance with both UEFA and Premier League rules. The club has also been accused of failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations between December 2018 and February 2023.

The specifics of the allegations are damning. City is accused of concealing payments through third parties, disguising them as sponsorship revenue, which constitutes a blatant breach of FFP regulations. Despite these accusations, the club has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

City’s Staunch Defence and Future Implications

Manchester City maintains its innocence, expressing surprise at the ongoing FFP investigation. The club has welcomed the review by an independent commission, confident that the “comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence” will support its position. “As such we look forward to this matter being put to rest once and for all,” a City representative stated.

However, the potential release of new documents by Pinto could complicate matters. The hacker’s legal representative revealed that investigators have approached them to share information that has not yet been made public. “We haven’t released the information yet but we have a massive file of Manchester City-related documents that has yet to be released,” the representative added.

The looming threat of new document releases by Rui Pinto could significantly impact Manchester City’s standing in the football world. If these documents do indeed prove criminal relevancy, the club could face severe penalties, including potential bans and hefty fines. As the Premier League hearing approaches, all eyes will be on the developments in this ongoing saga. City’s ability to navigate this turbulent period will be crucial in maintaining their reputation and success on the pitch.

The allegations and potential new evidence underscore the importance of transparency and compliance in football’s financial operations. Whether Manchester City can convincingly refute these claims remains to be seen, but the implications of Pinto’s threats are undeniably significant.