Rui Pinto Accuses FIFA President Gianni Infantino of Protecting Man City and PSG from FFP Sanctions
Rui Pinto Criticizes FIFA Boss Over Financial Fair Play Claims
Rui Pinto, the whistleblower behind Football Leaks, has launched a fierce attack on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, accusing him of shielding Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain from serious punishments related to Financial Fair Play (FFP) violations. Pinto calls Infantino a 'cancer on football' and insists he should not be part of the sport's future.
Claims of FFP Manipulation Resurface
The Premier League found Manchester City guilty of breaching financial rules over nine years, a case that originated from leaked documents shared by Pinto in 2018. While City's guilt is established, sanctions are still pending, with the club having until October 2 to appeal the decision.
Pinto took to social media platform X to renew his accusations, alleging that Infantino, when serving as UEFA general secretary, helped both clubs dodge harsh European penalties. Reports from Der Spiegel suggested these state-backed teams inflated sponsorship deals to meet FFP requirements artificially. In 2014, when faced with potential Champions League bans, Infantino reportedly bypassed normal procedures to secure lenient settlements for City and PSG.
Sharp Words Against Infantino
"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 outmaneuvered the investigatory chamber to ensure both Manchester City and PSG would only receive fines instead of deeper investigations that could have led to Champions League bans. Given his actions at UEFA and now 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."
Denials and Growing Scrutiny
UEFA defended Infantino's conduct, stating he was within his rights to assist in finding solutions for the investigations. Infantino also rejected the allegations, describing his role as involving discussions, document exchanges, and maintaining professionalism.
Paris Saint-Germain strongly denied the accusations, emphasizing their full compliance with rules and highlighting that they are among football’s most audited clubs.
Despite denials, Infantino is under increasing pressure. The Swiss Football Association recently withdrew support, expressing worries about leadership, governance, transparency, and decision-making following a review of recent controversies.
Upcoming Deadlines and Challenges
- Manchester City must decide whether to appeal the Premier League ruling by October 2; the final sanctions could impact their domestic success.
- Gianni Infantino plans to run for a fourth term as FIFA president in March 2027; challengers have until November 18 to submit campaigns against him amid dissatisfaction from European officials regarding his leadership style.
