Trial Developments
During the fourth session of the trial, Pedro Faria, who served as the technology director of the Liga from 2013 to 2022, emphasized the extensive research required to access the organization’s computer system. He stated, “It was possible to access the LPFP’s computer system, but it required technical knowledge. A significant amount of analysis work was necessary.” This testimony, like others heard that day, was conducted remotely.
Key Testimonies
Pedro Faria acknowledged that during his interrogation by investigators, he noticed a notebook with “instructions to access the Liga’s computer universe,” indicating that the “level of information there was privileged.” On a day when Pedro Proença, the president of the LPFP, was scheduled to testify, his hearing was postponed to February 10 due to notification issues. The court heard from several witnesses connected to the LPFP at the time of the incidents, along with an administrator from Leixões’ SAD.
Among those witnesses was Tiago Fernandes, an IT engineer with the LPFP from 2014 to 2019. He explained how the transfer platform operated, which clubs used to register players, noting that it was only accessible to certain employees, and some contracts may have been leaked.
Contradictory Evidence
In the afternoon session, Andreia Couto, who worked at the LPFP from 2002 to 2018 and served as the organization’s secretary-general, contradicted the morning testimonies that suggested unauthorized access to personal email accounts. She claimed that she had never suspected that her account could have been accessed by third parties.
Charges Against Rui Pinto
The trial of Rui Pinto, who faces 241 charges related to unauthorized access to emails from Benfica and other entities, will continue on February 10 at 2:00 PM. Eight more witnesses are set to testify, including Pedro Proença, who is both the leader of the LPFP and a candidate for the presidency of the Portuguese Football Federation, and has joined the case as an assistant.
Rui Pinto is charged with 201 counts of qualified unlawful access, 22 counts of aggravated breach of correspondence, and 18 counts of computer damage. Besides Benfica, other implicated figures and institutions include various clubs, the Liga, companies, law firms, judges, prosecutors, the Tax Authority, and the National Security Network.
Background on Rui Pinto
The creator of Football Leaks was brought to trial in March, with the Central Criminal Investigation Court granting him amnesty for 134 counts of breach of correspondence based on the amnesty law passed in 2023 during the World Youth Days. This was due to the alleged commission of these crimes before he turned 30.
In September 2023, Rui Pinto was convicted in the ‘Football Leaks’ case by the Central Criminal Court of Lisbon, receiving a four-year suspended prison sentence for attempted extortion, aggravated breach of correspondence, and unlawful access. Additionally, in November 2023, he was sentenced to six months in prison in France, also with a suspended sentence, for illegally accessing emails from Paris Saint-Germain.
As the trial progresses, the circumstances surrounding Rui Pinto’s actions and the implications for those involved in the case remain a focal point of interest.
