{"id":2164659,"date":"2026-09-26T05:56:40","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T02:56:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2164659"},"modified":"2026-09-26T05:56:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T02:56:40","slug":"rui-pinto-the-hacker-who-tried-to-take-down-manchester-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2164659","title":{"rendered":"Rui Pinto: The hacker who tried to take down Manchester City"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/35d3\/live\/b39074f0-f4ed-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"ssrcss-2fe4mx-ArticleWrapper e1nh2i2l0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-2tljqw-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<header class=\"ssrcss-1dg3yab-TopperWrapper e1wz1n9n9\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10t5jdw-HeaderBox e8gv9m91\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1ugdax3-HeaderWrapper e8gv9m90\">Sport Insight<\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1m8wg1s-HeadingWrapper e1wz1n9n8\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The computer hacker who tried to take down Man City<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-k5ljdc-MetadataStripWrapper e1wz1n9n7\">\n<ul class=\"ssrcss-peig2i-MetadataStripList e1wz1n9n6\">\n<li><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\"><time data-testid=\"timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-09-26T05:56:40.944Z\">3 hours ago<\/time><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1t9jjvj-ImageBox e1wz1n9n5\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1sk2upk-SquareImageWrapper e1wz1n9n2\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1g5rs6f-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/400\/cpsprodpb\/3f1b\/live\/5ecd3cf0-f4ed-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.jpg.webp 400w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/640\/cpsprodpb\/3f1b\/live\/5ecd3cf0-f4ed-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.jpg.webp 640w\" type=\"image\/webp\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 50vw, 100vw\" \/><\/span><span role=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-tzgxt7-StyledFigureCopyright e34k3c20\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image source, <\/span>AFP<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"byline\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"multi-byline\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">By<\/span><span><span class=\"ssrcss-16u1n8p-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Laura Scott<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span>Sports news correspondent<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><span><span class=\"ssrcss-16u1n8p-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Sarah Dawkins<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span>BBC Sport Senior Journalist<\/span><\/span><span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\">\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-16u1n8p-TextContributorName epw3ir01\">Patrick Nathanson <\/span><span class=\"ssrcss-1ai8n1t-Text e1xjs3jz0\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\">,\u00a0<\/span>BBC Sport<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\"><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">Mention Rui Pinto&#8217;s name to <\/b><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\">Manchester City<\/b><b class=\"ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3\"> fans outside Etihad Stadium, and you mostly get blank faces.<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">But while they might not know his name, they are more than familiar with his work.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Pinto is the Portuguese computer hacker who tried to bring down City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Through his website Football Leaks, he published a cache of confidential club documents, including internal emails about sponsorship deals and payments.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">That ultimately led to the Premier League charges for breaching of financial rules and Friday&#8217;s news that the club had been found guilty of the majority of the 115 counts.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">For some, 37-year-old Pinto is no more than a criminal who stole information with sinister intentions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">To others, though, he is a bastion of truth who has shone a light on the darker side of the beautiful game.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">BBC Sport has been on a journey across Europe to find out more about the mysterious figure who was the catalyst for so much controversy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">We spoke to one of Pinto&#8217;s former teachers, a Portuguese politician fighting for him to be protected as a whistleblower, journalists who published the leaks, and a former financial adviser at Manchester City.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">And we sat just a few feet from Pinto in the latest of his court cases.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"media\" class=\"ssrcss-bcrzx2-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\">\n<div data-chromatic=\"ignore\" class=\"ssrcss-dtyrnv-MediaPlayerWrapper e1h75hkw2\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1553su4-ErrorMessage eitf6465\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-h7lv7m-StyledInnerContainer eitf6464\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nbxsk2-TextContent eitf6461\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">This video can not be played<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Figure caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Who is Rui Pinto?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"Maybe-he-felt-the-need-for-justice\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">&#8216;Maybe he felt the need for justice&#8217;<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">With his cherubic face and spiky hair, Pinto is instantly recognisable. And it seems he hasn&#8217;t changed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It is how Mario Falcao, his former geography teacher, remembers him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In a small courtyard garden in Portugal, we got a glimpse of what Pinto was like as a boy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Rui was a perfectly normal pupil. He was nice, with his spiky hair, he was quite sociable but not extrovert,&#8221; Falcao said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;He had a good relationship with the teachers, although he did miss these classes quite often. His father was always on top of things, so in the end he passed quite easily.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Did he spot a strong interest in computers in a young Pinto?<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Certainly he was very good in computers. All the work that he did for various courses were very good, when he put his mind to it,&#8221; his former teacher explained.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The now-retired Falcao speaks fondly of Pinto, who he says behaved just like his friends and would &#8220;go to the gym, go to McDonald&#8217;s&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Pinto had a modest upbringing. He grew up in an area called Vila Nova de Gaia, just across the Douro River from Porto, Portugal&#8217;s second-largest city. We visited the road where he used to live, which featured tile-fronted houses with terracotta roofs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">His school, Escola Secundaria Almeida Garrett, was well-regarded and was known by locals as &#8216;the university&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">His father, Francisco, worked in a shoe factory and later as an antiques dealer. His mother had died when he was 11.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Falcao said he never predicted what was to come of his former pupil.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We were very surprised,&#8221; he said of the moment Pinto was named as the founder of Football Leaks in 2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We weren&#8217;t imagining anything like this could happen, that he could have problems with justice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I certainly wouldn&#8217;t wish him and his family to be in this situation. Perhaps it was a question of the excesses of youth, his ability with computers, and maybe an excess of club-ism.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;So, you know, the fact that he supported FC Porto prompted him to commit some acts, but maybe he also felt the need for justice that young people very often do feel.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"links\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-94r6ik-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0s6gx-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Clubs seek legal advice over Man City charges compensation<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">13 hours ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"ssrcss-qzx51b-LinkItem e3eyuya1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1gccci3-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0s6gx-LinkHeadline e3eyuya4\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Relegation? Titles stripped? Appeals? What next for Man City<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">12 hours ago<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-bcrzx2-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-o6ycc6-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/a5d5\/live\/d50a2150-fb49-11ef-b291-618bc0bdbe5f.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/a5d5\/live\/d50a2150-fb49-11ef-b291-618bc0bdbe5f.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/a5d5\/live\/d50a2150-fb49-11ef-b291-618bc0bdbe5f.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/a5d5\/live\/d50a2150-fb49-11ef-b291-618bc0bdbe5f.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/a5d5\/live\/d50a2150-fb49-11ef-b291-618bc0bdbe5f.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/a5d5\/live\/d50a2150-fb49-11ef-b291-618bc0bdbe5f.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">We visited the street where Rui Pinto grew up in Portugal<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"One-of-most-important-whistleblowers-in-Europe\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">&#8216;One of most important whistleblowers in Europe&#8217;<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Pinto set up Football Leaks in 2015, to &#8211; in his words &#8211; expose &#8220;the hidden side of football&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Antonio Varela remembers the website&#8217;s launch like it was yesterday. The Portuguese journalist was the first person contacted by Pinto, whose real identity would not be known for years to come, and was initially known by the pseudonym &#8220;John&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It was a common day of September 2015. I was at the news room at [Portuguese sports newspaper] Record and I got an email from Football Leaks. It was strange. Then I immediately go to the site, and I can&#8217;t believe there is lots of information that you never heard or read. We made the conclusion this is very, very important.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Re-publishing what had been leaked by Pinto brought legal and ethical conundrums.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We realised that [Football Leaks] got the information illegally. But since the moment they publish the information on the site, that&#8217;s public information,&#8221; said Varela. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;You can&#8217;t ignore that. Ethically, it&#8217;s complicated, but the public interest is more relevant than the ethical issue. That was the conclusion.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It wasn&#8217;t just eight-time Premier League champions Manchester City that Pinto targeted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The early revelations on Football Leaks focused on matters closer to home, with leaks around Benfica and even the side he supported, FC Porto.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Later, there were leaked documents and communications relating to some of the world&#8217;s most famous players, clubs and agents, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Pinto agreed to meet a journalist, Rafael Buschmann from the German magazine Der Spiegel. Once he knew he could trust him, he shared tens of millions of documents with him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">It was then up to a team of journalists in the Der Spiegel headquarters in Hamburg to meticulously go through it all, producing some of the most explosive articles the football world has ever seen.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Christoph Winterbach, a data journalist, was part of that team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;In the beginning it was very much a fascinating feeling of like a child in a candy store,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;If you&#8217;re a football fan, if you&#8217;re a sports journalist, it was amazing to see the actual documents, to see those emails where things are negotiated and to get a real look behind the curtain, how things work.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;It&#8217;s very important when you have this type of documents, this type of data, that you make a lot of cross checks, that you use some software which we did that can put it all into context and you can see if there&#8217;s any reliability issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We always need to make sure that it&#8217;s authentic material and whenever we publish something about it, it needs to be in the public interest to start writing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Winterbach finally met Pinto in person in 2019, when he was being held in prison in Lisbon awaiting his trial. He conducted another interview with Pinto in witness protection, in a secret location with high security, describing the arrangements for getting there as being &#8220;like a Hollywood movie&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said: &#8220;Rui Pinto is not very tall. He has very distinctive hair, like spiky hair. He usually has red cheeks and he&#8217;s a youthful, cheeky, funny character. He&#8217;s friendly and warm when you meet him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;He&#8217;s a very impressive character, he&#8217;s very focused, he&#8217;s very concentrated. He&#8217;s very, very intelligent. He&#8217;s very idealistic about the topics that he uncovered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;He&#8217;s one of the most important whistleblowers that we have in Europe or maybe the world.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In all, Pinto provided more than three terabytes &#8211; equivalent to about 3,000 copies of the Encyclopedia Britannica &#8211; of information to Der Spiegel and other outlets in the European Investigative Collaborations consortium.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"A-hero-or-a-thief\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">A &#8216;hero&#8217; or a &#8216;thief&#8217;?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">We encountered stark contrasts in perceptions of Pinto wherever we went.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Former Portuguese politician and diplomat Ana Gomes has also met Pinto in prison and testified on his behalf at one of his trials. She is firmly of the view that he deserves to be protected, not prosecuted.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;What he has exposed is very important. In Portugal, definitely he is by far the most important whistleblower,&#8221; the former Member of the European Parliament told us in Lisbon.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;He should be made an ally of our judicial and criminal investigative authorities. He has helped the authorities of other European countries in going after the corrupt and the criminals, instead of being the subject of this judicial prosecution by the choice of our public prosecutors.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">When asked what she would say to Manchester City, who had their emails hacked by him, her answer is blunt.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I couldn&#8217;t care less. If they have nothing to hide, what&#8217;s their problem?&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Jose Carlos Freitas, a retired journalist, said Gomes&#8217;s sympathetic view is not a widely held one. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;For the majority of the people, they look at him as a thief,&#8221; he said. &#8220;For some people, he is a kind of hero, a Robin Hood, you can say because he was exposing the dark side of the business of so many clubs, but unfortunately for the majority of the people, he is not a good person.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Varela is on the fence. &#8220;Nowadays, I think I put him in the middle [between whistleblower and criminal hacker] because he got the information illegally. But he gave us, all of us, a view, a dark view of European football, so he did a job to the society illegally.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Wherever you sit in the debate, he has faced serious consequences for what he did. As Winterbach puts it, Pinto &#8220;has powerful enemies through the work that he has done&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-bcrzx2-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-b8pw3g-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/721b\/live\/19214910-f508-11ef-8c03-7dfdbeeb2526.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/721b\/live\/19214910-f508-11ef-8c03-7dfdbeeb2526.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/721b\/live\/19214910-f508-11ef-8c03-7dfdbeeb2526.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/721b\/live\/19214910-f508-11ef-8c03-7dfdbeeb2526.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/721b\/live\/19214910-f508-11ef-8c03-7dfdbeeb2526.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/721b\/live\/19214910-f508-11ef-8c03-7dfdbeeb2526.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Ana Gomes feels Rui Pinto should be protected and not punished<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"Pintos-life-has-been-far-from-normal-for-six-years\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">Pinto&#8217;s life has been far from normal for six years<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">For the past six years, Pinto&#8217;s life has been far from normal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Having been arrested in Hungary in 2019, he was extradited to Portugal and has at various points been in solitary confinement, under house arrest and in witness protection.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Following his first trial in Portugal, in 2023 he received a four-year suspended sentence having been found guilty of attempted extortion, illegal access to data and breach of correspondence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">A separate trial in France resulted in a six-month suspended prison sentence a few months later.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">And in January last year, Pinto&#8217;s latest trial began in Lisbon. The opening day at the Central Criminal Court encapsulated the realities of his life and the difference in opinions of him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Pinto arrived with members of his witness protection team, two of whom stayed in the courtroom throughout the hearing, along with an armed police presence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He was dressed casually in a blue, long-sleeved top, jeans and brown boots, and had his distinctive spiky hair and some facial hair. He was fairly expressionless throughout, aside from the occasional shrug of the shoulders or glance at his team.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">We sat just a few feet from him, as he conversed with his legal team in hushed tones and spoke to the judge purely to confirm details like his name and age. When asked for his address, he said he could not give this for security reasons.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Local journalist Miguel Dantas explained the security arrangements were scaled back compared with the first trial, when he wore a bulletproof jacket and there were snipers on the roof.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Rui Patricio, the lawyer representing Benfica, told the court Pinto was &#8220;no more, no less than a burglar&#8221;, that he had obtained the information by &#8220;illegal and condemnable methods&#8221; and that the ends did not justify the means.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Outside court, Patricio added: &#8220;Our argument is very, very simple. He&#8217;s a hacker, period, just like that. What he did is not allowed &#8211; it&#8217;s a crime and there are no excuses. It&#8217;s very, very simple. Very, very straightforward.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">In his statement in court, Francisco Texeira da Mota, representing Pinto, accepted that his client was &#8220;not a hero and not a saint&#8221; but said he had brought &#8220;advantages for society&#8221;.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-bcrzx2-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"ssrcss-1uy5kw5-FullWidthWrapper ep2nwvo1\">\n<figure class=\"ssrcss-hc6arm-StyledFigure e34k3c22\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-ab5fd8-StyledFigureContainer e34k3c21\"><span class=\"ssrcss-6qz8rc-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/3f8b\/live\/8b205470-f508-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/3f8b\/live\/8b205470-f508-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/3f8b\/live\/8b205470-f508-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/3f8b\/live\/8b205470-f508-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/3f8b\/live\/8b205470-f508-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/3f8b\/live\/8b205470-f508-11ef-9e61-71ee71f26eb1.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div><figcaption class=\"ssrcss-3uli8u-StyledFigureCaption ehbdhz00\"><span class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Image caption, <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-15twdc6-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Journalist Miguel Dantas has covered Pinto&#8217;s court appearances<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"subheadline\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-usmnse-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"subheadline\">\n<h2 id=\"What-is-the-impact-of-Football-Leaks\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"ssrcss-1sc9t00-Heading e10rt3ze0\"><span role=\"text\">What is the impact of Football Leaks?<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"text\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-126h8e-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"rich-text\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nqezkk-RichTextContainer e5tfeyi1\">\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The impact of Football Leaks is still being felt a decade on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">The Premier League&#8217;s case against Manchester City has been one of unprecedented scale and significance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">From speaking to his legal team after the court hearing, it became clear Pinto has been closely monitoring that case from witness protection since the Premier League brought the charges in February 2023.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Asked if the outcome mattered, Texeira da Mota said: &#8220;I think it&#8217;s important for him because it&#8217;s very difficult to be like he is, living a very difficult life, more or less hiding, because he made some revelations, he whistle-blowed lots of important things, namely about Manchester City. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;So it would be important for him to feel vindicated that it was useful, that something happened, because what of what he said.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Speaking before the announcement of the decision in the City case, Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser to Manchester City, said: &#8220;I think for City, really, the whole of the Sheikh Mansour era is at stake if the core allegations are proven against the club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;I think the consequences could be very far reaching for the club, and it would be a very difficult thing for them to deal with. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;Over time, clearly there would have to be some kind of reset. I think in many ways the Premier League is a loser either way.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">Borson&#8217;s view was that Pinto should not be seen as &#8220;some kind of warrior for freedom&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">He said: &#8220;We know that what he carried out was a criminal act and he&#8217;s been prosecuted for it.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">&#8220;We also know that hackers of that nature do try and reframe themselves as part of the defence process as purveyors of freedom of speech. But, once those documents are in the public domain, then I think it&#8217;s for the authorities to act.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">For some, Rui Pinto is a criminal hacker who stole information with sinister intentions. To others he is a heroic whistleblower who shone a light on the darker side of the beautiful game. <\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-1q0x1qg-Paragraph e1jhz7w10\">What is undeniable is that one Portuguese man on his computer in Budapest has had a seismic impact on global football.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"topicList\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<div data-testid=\"topic-list\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-nj9heb-StyledTagContainer ed0g1kj1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1pfbb52-TopicListHeaderWrapper etw6iwl0\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">Related topics<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17ehax8-Cluster e1ihwmse1\">\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-w8zanw-ClusterItems e1ihwmse0\">\n<li>Football<\/li>\n<li>Premier League<\/li>\n<li>Manchester City<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-8ppqmm-Wrap e42f8511\">\n<div data-block=\"promoList\" class=\"ssrcss-1sp09lk-ComponentWrapper e1aon0op1\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-tcr9z1-Spacer e1aon0op0\">\n<h2 class=\"ssrcss-89o2pv-Heading e10rt3ze0\">More on this story<\/h2>\n<ul class=\"ssrcss-1ughxsy-List e880cno1\">\n<li>\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-ccqz3i-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u1fh10-PromoSwitchLayoutAtBreakpoints et5qctl0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-wg79iw-PromoContent exn3ah912\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-6bmydz-PromoHeadline exn3ah99\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Latest Manchester City news, analysis and fan views<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-z60stg-PromoImageContainer en81kx34\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17h6w1t-PromoImageContainerInner en81kx32\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-fec6qv-ImageWrapper en81kx33\"><span class=\"ssrcss-alkskq-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/bff2\/live\/a267b300-fd9a-11ee-a9f7-4d961743aa47.jpg.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/bff2\/live\/a267b300-fd9a-11ee-a9f7-4d961743aa47.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/bff2\/live\/a267b300-fd9a-11ee-a9f7-4d961743aa47.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/bff2\/live\/a267b300-fd9a-11ee-a9f7-4d961743aa47.jpg.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/bff2\/live\/a267b300-fd9a-11ee-a9f7-4d961743aa47.jpg.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/bff2\/live\/a267b300-fd9a-11ee-a9f7-4d961743aa47.jpg.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div data-testid=\"promo\" class=\"ssrcss-ccqz3i-Promo e1vyq2e80\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-1u1fh10-PromoSwitchLayoutAtBreakpoints et5qctl0\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-wg79iw-PromoContent exn3ah912\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\"><span role=\"text\"><\/p>\n<p class=\"ssrcss-6bmydz-PromoHeadline exn3ah99\"><span aria-hidden=\"false\">Get Manchester City news sent straight to your phone<\/span><\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-l0lt4o-Stack e1y4nx260\">\n<div>\n<ul role=\"list\" class=\"ssrcss-9tw7r1-MetadataStripContainer eh44mf03\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-10q9h22-GroupChildrenForWrapping eh44mf02\">\n<li role=\"listitem\" class=\"ssrcss-sf7vdp-MetadataStripItem eh44mf01\">\n<div class=\"visually-hidden ssrcss-i2z2ig-VisuallyHidden e16en2lz0\">Published<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-m5j4pi-MetadataContent eh44mf00\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pvwv4b-MetadataSnippet e4wm5bw3\"><span class=\"ssrcss-61mhsj-MetadataText e4wm5bw1\">26 July 2022<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ssrcss-z60stg-PromoImageContainer en81kx34\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-17h6w1t-PromoImageContainerInner en81kx32\">\n<div class=\"ssrcss-fec6qv-ImageWrapper en81kx33\"><span class=\"ssrcss-1pflr6j-Placeholder etlorgc0\"><source srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/240\/cpsprodpb\/11D21\/production\/_126039927_manchestercityjustbadge2022-23.png.webp 240w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/320\/cpsprodpb\/11D21\/production\/_126039927_manchestercityjustbadge2022-23.png.webp 320w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/480\/cpsprodpb\/11D21\/production\/_126039927_manchestercityjustbadge2022-23.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/624\/cpsprodpb\/11D21\/production\/_126039927_manchestercityjustbadge2022-23.png.webp 624w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/800\/cpsprodpb\/11D21\/production\/_126039927_manchestercityjustbadge2022-23.png.webp 800w, https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/standard\/976\/cpsprodpb\/11D21\/production\/_126039927_manchestercityjustbadge2022-23.png.webp 976w\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/sport\/football\/articles\/cwywld5v28jo&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/ace\/branded_sport\/1200\/cpsprodpb\/35d3\/live\/b39074f0-f4ed-11ef-896e-d7e7fb1719a4.jpg&#8221;] Sport Insight The computer hacker who tried to take down Man City Published3 hours ago Image source, AFP ByLaura Scott,\u00a0Sports news correspondent,\u00a0Sarah Dawkins,\u00a0BBC Sport Senior Journalist\u00a0and\u00a0Patrick Nathanson ,\u00a0BBC Sport Mention Rui Pinto&#8217;s name to Manchester City fans outside Etihad Stadium, and you mostly get blank faces. But while they might not know [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[35,226],"class_list":["post-2164659","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-bbc-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2164659","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2164659"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2164659\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2164659"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2164659"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2164659"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}