Football Leaks' Pinto: Infantino Is 'A Cancer On Football' — SkimNews
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- Rui Pinto called Fifa president Gianni Infantino 'a cancer on football' who 'should have no place in the future of the game,' alleging Infantino in 2014 'shared confidential documents' and 'outmanoeuvred' Uefa's investigatory chamber to shield Manchester City and PSG from deeper FFP sanctions
- Pinto's 2018 Football Leaks disclosures, published via Der Spiegel, triggered the Premier League's investigation that found City guilty of breaching financial rules over a nine-year period, with the club given until 2 October to appeal
- Manchester City continue to deny wrongdoing in the Premier League case, while PSG said at the time they 'have always acted in full compliance with the laws and regulations' and 'denies the allegations'
- Uefa defended Infantino's 2014 conduct by noting it falls within the general secretary's remit to hold 'discussions, meetings, assistance to help find solutions,' while Infantino himself said his job 'entails having discussions, having conversations, exchanging documents'
- Infantino faces mounting pressure over the shelved Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) scheme, with Uefa accusing him of 'criminal mismanagement' and the Swiss Football Association withdrawing its support
- Infantino is set to stand for a fourth Fifa presidential term in March 2027, with potential opponents required to declare by 18 November
Why it matters: Pinto's accusations land at a moment when Infantino's grip on the Fifa presidency is visibly loosening — Uefa has publicly accused him of criminal mismanagement and the Swiss FA has withdrawn backing, piling pressure ahead of the March 2027 election and reviving scrutiny of whether FFP enforcement has ever been truly impartial.
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