Football Leaks whistleblower Rui Pinto has described Manchester City's guilty verdict as 'historic' and warned that more evidence is yet to be released against the club. Pinto, whose initial release of club documents led to the Premier League charges, spoke out after City were found in breach of 114 out of 115 financial charges.
Whistleblower hails 'historic' decision
Pinto said the ruling 'comes to crown the work I carried out through Football Leaks'. He added: "Ironically, I cannot help but remember Pep Guardiola's words at his first press conference as City manager: 'Fasten your seat belts'."
On Tuesday, he said: "It's official. The statement released today by the Premier League ultimately confirms, unequivocally, the truth of everything that was revealed through Football Leaks. The Independent Commission is also particularly harsh in the way it characterises the actions taken by Manchester City executives, who, without a shadow of a doubt, acted with complete impunity, challenging everyone and everything."
More evidence 'yet to be released'
Pinto's legal representative warned two years ago that more evidence was forthcoming. "We have a massive file of Manchester City-related documents that has yet to be released," the representative said. "The files will be published at some point, we cannot say when, but we will do it."
Those files have not yet been released by Football Leaks.
City to appeal verdict
Manchester City have consistently protested their innocence and plan to appeal. The club released a statement saying: "Manchester City FC is both disappointed and surprised by the opinion of the Premier League Commission, that has been published today."
The statement added: "The club is innocent of the accusations made by the Premier League and a comprehensive body of irrefutable evidence exists in support of all of its positions, relating to this case."
Potential sanctions for City range from financial penalties to points deductions or removal from the Premier League. Any punishment may be announced before the outcome of a potential appeal.
