The Portuguese hacker whose release of a cache of documents led directly to Manchester City being charged with 115 rule breaches has announced he has split with his now-ex-girlfriend.
In 2018, Rui Pinto released hundreds of thousands of documents and emails to media organisations across Europe, including those of City, which allowed the Premier League to impose charges on the former champions.
The charges related to financial information regarding revenue, details of manager and player remuneration, UEFA regulations, profitability and sustainability and co-operation with Premier League investigations.
Details of former manager Roberto Mancini’s contract were leaked, as well as image-rights agreements involving Yaya Toure’s agents and emails about the club’s sponsorship income.
The case against the Citizens is ongoing as of May 2025, and the club have continued to deny any wrongdoing.
Now, though, the Portuguese hacker has announced a split from his actress now-ex-girlfriend, wishing her well in her future.
The hacker who leaked documents that led to Manchester City’s 115 charges posted an emotional message after splitting from his girlfriend (pictured back in 2019)
Pinto wrote on X that he hopes Mikaela Lupu (left) can ‘find her way’ in his heartfelt message
Manchester City have continued to deny any wrongdoing throughout the investigation
‘It all started with a glass of wine and a book,’ he wrote, announcing the parting from his Moldovan-born actress ex-partner.
‘There followed beautiful weeks of intense courtship, immersed in a whirlwind of love and passion, but everything collapsed abruptly due to wounds that refuse to heal. I hope you find your way, Mikaela Lupu.’
Interestingly, the romance was not common knowledge, with Lupu only announcing her own split from a former partner, with whom she has a child, in February.
Of the charges City are facing, 54 are allegations they failed to provide accurate and up-to-date financial reports to the league from 2009-10 to 2017-18.
Thirty-five charges related to the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League’s investigation into their conduct between December 2018 and February 2023.
In recent years, City have also faced accusations for inflating the value of their sponsorships that are connected to their owners.
The first allegations of City’s financial improprieties came to light in 2018 when German outlet Der Spiegel obtained documents via Football Leaks, a site run by Pinto.
A resolution on City’s 115 charges was expected to be reached in the spring or summer – but Mail Sport last year reported a likely appeal either way could push the case beyond that point.
A verdict of Man City’s 115 charges was not initially expected until the spring or summer 2025
Thirty-five of the 115 charges are for alleged failure to co-operate with the investigation
The Premier League side, who have won eight league titles since 2012, are also facing 14 charges of failing to provide accurate reports in relation to compensation paid to both players and managers across the same period.
Pinto, who released the documents seven years ago now, avoided prison time, receiving a four-year suspended sentence after being found guilty of nine offences by a panel of three judges.
Pinto reportedly said during his trail that he was a whistleblower rather than a criminal, acting in the public interest as he admitted he was responsible for the leaks.
He said he was ‘shocked and disgusted’ at what he found, and his lawyers claimed that the 34-year-old has helped authorities tackle crime in sport, particularly in financial dealings.
He is also known for exposing plans to form the European Super League several years ago.
