“Cristiano Ronaldo’s behaviour off the pitch needs to be judged different than his football career – in terms of criminal law” Rui Pinto, the Man behind Football Leaks

Cristiano’s Ronaldo behaviour off the pitch needs to be judged entirely differently than his professional career – in terms of criminal law. “For this purpose, Football Leaks is and has been helpful. It couldn’t care less whether our favorite players or our favorite clubs are affected. Football Leaks shows that it acts really unbiased.”

Rui Pinto, the 30-year-old Portuguese national, who is the WhistleBlower behind football leaks is under house arrest, awaiting the decision of a Hungarian court as he could face extradition to Portugal, where — a trial that might threaten his very existence might take place.

In an interview given exclusively to Der Spiegel he said “I initiated a spontaneous movement of revelations about the football industry. So, I am not the only one involved. Over time, more and more new sources have been added, who have shared their material with me, and the database grew. This shows that there are many other people preoccupied by that matter.”

Pinto says doesn’t consider himself as a hacker, but as a citizen who acted in the public interest. “My sole intention was to reveal illicit practices that affect the world of football”, he said.

He argues that some “claim the data has been manipulated, falsified or taken out of context. As a result, they say, it cannot be admitted as evidence in a court of law. I think that’s nonsense. The documents are authentic. That is what matters. This and the content.”