Infantino should have no place in future of football - Pinto

Rui Pinto, the computer hacker who released documents that prompted the Premier League's investigation into Manchester City, has accused FIFA president Gianni Infantino of having no place in the future of football. Manchester City has been found guilty of breaching Premier League financial rules over a nine-year period, but they continue to deny any wrongdoing and have until October 2 to appeal.

Pinto, creator of Football Leaks, claims in a message on X that Infantino intervened in 2014 to help City and Paris St-Germain avoid financial fair play sanctions from UEFA. According to a report by Der Spiegel, the clubs overvalued sponsorship deals to meet FFP rules, and Infantino allegedly arranged more lenient punishments for them when they faced sanctions.

PSG denied the allegations, stating it has always acted in compliance with laws and regulations. Pinto wrote that Infantino, then Uefa general secretary, abused his authority and shared confidential documents, doing everything in his power to ensure both Manchester City and PSG only received fines and avoided a deeper investigation.

Pinto argues that Infantino's actions as Uefa general secretary and, more recently, as FIFA president have made him a cancer on football and that he should have no place in the game's future. When the allegations first surfaced, Uefa stated that it was within the general secretary's remit to assist in such matters. Infantino has faced increasing pressure following plans to sell stakes in the World Cup, with UEFA accusing him of "criminal mismanagement" over the Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme, and the Swiss Football Association withdrawing its support for the FIFA president.

Infantino will stand for election for a fourth time in March 2027, with his opponents having until November 18 to find an alternative candidate.