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

Rui Pinto, the whistleblower behind the Football Leaks revelations, has launched a fierce attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of helping Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain dodge serious Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions. Pinto claims that Infantino, during his time as UEFA general secretary, interfered with investigations into these clubs' financial dealings.

Pinto’s Renewed Claims About FFP Manipulation

Manchester City was found guilty of violating Premier League financial rules over nearly a decade, a conclusion largely based on documents Pinto leaked in 2018. Although the club's guilt is established, the case remains unresolved because the punishment has not yet been decided. City has until October 2 to appeal the ruling.

The 37-year-old Portuguese hacker took to social media platform X to reiterate earlier accusations that Infantino shielded both Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain from harsh penalties in Europe. Reports initially published by Der Spiegel revealed that these state-backed clubs inflated sponsorship deals artificially to meet FFP requirements. In 2014, when both faced possible Champions League bans, Pinto says Infantino bypassed formal procedures to arrange lenient settlements.

"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 Rising Scrutiny

When these allegations first appeared, UEFA defended Infantino, saying his role included assisting investigations to find solutions. Infantino himself denied wrongdoing, describing his conduct as professional and emphasizing that his job involved discussion and document exchanges.

Paris Saint-Germain also rejected the accusations, asserting they always complied with regulations and highlighted their status as one of football's most audited clubs.

Despite these denials, Infantino is facing increasing pressure. The Swiss Football Association recently withdrew its support due to concerns about leadership, governance, transparency, and decision-making following a review of recent controversies.

Upcoming Deadlines for Man City and FIFA Leadership

Manchester City must decide whether to appeal the Premier League verdict by October 2. The final punishment will greatly influence the club’s future success in domestic competitions.

Meanwhile, Gianni Infantino is preparing for a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027. Discontent among European officials over his management style means potential challengers have until November 18 to declare their candidacy.

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