Manchester:Rui Pinto, the founder of Football Leaks, has offered to cooperate with UK authorities in exchange for protection from threats. Pinto's disclosures were instrumental in initiating the Premier League investigation into Manchester City.

According to Anadolu Agency, The 37-year-old Portuguese whistleblower has indicated that he could provide further documents related to Manchester City's financial activities as part of his cooperation. His willingness to assist remains contingent on receiving adequate security measures.

This development follows Pinto's recent announcement of his intent to leave Portugal for an undisclosed location. He made this decision after learning that his participation in Portugal's witness protection program would end on October 10. Pinto has expressed fear for his safety, citing "multiple death threats" and the risk of an assassination attempt.

Since 2020, Pinto has been part of the witness protection program after agreeing to cooperate with authorities by providing access to millions of files he had gathered. His legal team has contested the decision to end his protection, urging Portuguese authorities to clarify the latest risk assessment process.

Pinto initially leaked confidential emails and financial records to German magazine Der Spiegel in 2018, which contributed to investigations into Manchester City's financial conduct. An independent Premier League commission recently found the club guilty of severe financial rule breaches between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons, as well as non-cooperation with the investigation.

Manchester City has appealed the commission's ruling, arguing that it contains significant errors and asserting the club's innocence.