Portuguese police chief Carlos Cabreiro faces probe over Football Leaks wiretaps

Headquarters searched over wiretap claims

Portuguese prosecutors from the Public Prosecution Service conducted search operations at the facilities of the Polícia Judiciária (PJ) on 23 September 2026. The actions targeted the national director of the PJ, Carlos Cabreiro, following a formal complaint submitted by PJ coordinator David Freitas. Investigators executed warrants at the Prevention and Technological Support Unit (UPAT), located at the police training school in the municipality of Loures, before expanding searches to the national headquarters in Lisbon. During the operation, authorities examined Cabreiro's office and scrutinized his work computer. The prosecutor general's office confirmed that the inquiry investigates suspicions of false testimony and abuse of power, noting that the case remains under judicial secrecy without any formal suspects named.

Origins of the Football Leaks dispute

The inquiry stems from the handling of the Football Leaks criminal investigation into Portuguese hacker Rui Pinto and his former lawyer, Aníbal Pinto. The complaint alleges that in 2015, Cabreiro authorized environmental audio surveillance of a meeting held at a service area on the A5 motorway connecting Lisbon and Cascais between Aníbal Pinto and representatives of the investment fund Doyen Sports. This surveillance reportedly assisted the PJ in identifying Rui Pinto as the author of the Football Leaks website. At the time of the alleged recording, Cabreiro directed the National Unit for Combating Cybercrime and Technological Crime (UNC3T) under the leadership of Luís Neves, Portugal's current Minister of Internal Administration. The 2023 trial ended with suspended prison sentences for both Rui Pinto and Aníbal Pinto after examining unauthorized access to entities including Sporting CP, Doyen Sports, the law firm PLMJ, the Portuguese Football Federation, and the prosecutor general's office. During those court proceedings, Cabreiro testified that no operational field wiretaps had been conducted. Freitas, whose mobile phone and computer were also seized by authorities during the search, alleged that Cabreiro's testimony was false.

Government and union backing

Justice Minister Rita Alarcão Júdice stated on 24 September 2026 that the judicial searches do not weaken her confidence in Cabreiro or the police force. Cabreiro, who was appointed national director in April 2026, confirmed that he will not resign from his post and reiterated the accuracy of his previous testimony in court.

The PJ is a solid institution with competence recognized nationally and internationally. Its mission and dedication to public service are unquestionable.

The Criminal Investigation Staff Union of the PJ (SPIC-PJ) expressed backing for the police leadership. Union president Rui Paiva affirmed that operational investigators maintain full confidence in Cabreiro while calling for prosecutors to establish the facts quickly. The PJ stated in an official release that it cooperated with judicial authorities during the execution of all search warrants.

Political calls for ministerial explanations

The operation prompted political responses from opposition figures regarding oversight within state security bodies. Socialist Party Secretary-General José Luís Carneiro called on the Justice Minister to provide formal public clarifications about the investigation into a sitting police director.

In other words, nobody is above the law. And this is clear proof.

Carneiro also addressed a related parliamentary situation after the president of the Assembly of the Republic admitted nine out of eleven inquiry topics proposed by the Chega party concerning the conduct of Luís Neves during his tenure as head of the PJ. Carneiro argued that parliamentary inquiry committees should avoid political disputes that could damage the standing of the PJ, noting that any alleged prior acts by Neves are already the subject of separate judicial proceedings.