In 2023 Pinto was given a suspended four-year prison sentence in Portugal for attempted extortion and cybercrime offences.
Portuguese authorities suspended implementation of a ruling concerning Rui Pinto after it was established that he had not been given an opportunity to mount a challenge or appeal.
The information gathered by Pinto is in the possession of French authorities, who had previously sought to include him in a witness protection programme.
The suspension leaves the ruling in place on paper but not in force, pending the challenge he was not previously allowed to bring.
Although the authorities maintained there was no threat to his life, he was advised not to express opinions on controversial issues.
The public prosecutor’s office and Benfica, one of the clubs hacked by Pinto, appealed against the ruling.
Pinto rose to prominence by exposing some of the football industry’s most closely guarded secrets.
Between 2015 and 2019 he collected tens of millions of files containing sensitive information.
The development comes at a significant moment for the 38-year-old, whose future under Portugal’s witness protection programme is uncertain.
Pinto was given 10 days’ warning, even though a decision had been taken in July.