URGENT UPDATE: Federal prosecutors in New York have just announced they are dropping all charges against Hernan Lopez, a former employee of Fox, who was embroiled in the notorious FIFA bribery scandal. This significant legal decision marks the end of a lengthy and contentious battle surrounding broadcasting rights for the World Cup and other major soccer events.
Earlier today, U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella filed a letter to U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen recommending the dismissal of charges against Lopez and Full Play Group, an Argentine sports media rights company also implicated in the scandal. The Justice Department stated this action is taken “in the interests of justice” following years of appeals and legal proceedings.
Lopez was convicted in 2024 on serious offenses including money laundering, conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy for allegedly paying tens of millions of dollars in bribes to secure broadcasting rights. Full Play faced additional counts related to the World Cup and Copa America. However, a federal appeals court recently reinstated these convictions, prompting the Biden-era Justice Department to move for their dismissal.
In a separate Supreme Court filing today, officials argued that Lopez’s case warrants a hearing, suggesting the high court should reverse the appeals court’s reinstatement of convictions and allow a New York federal judge to formally dismiss the case.
This development highlights the ongoing complexities of the FIFA bribery scandal that has rocked the sports world, raising questions about transparency and accountability in sports broadcasting. The ramifications of this decision could significantly impact how broadcasting rights are negotiated in the future.
As this situation unfolds, the legal landscape surrounding FIFA and its affiliates remains uncertain. What happens next will be closely monitored as both Lopez and Full Play Group navigate the aftermath of these dropped charges.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
