Federal Judge Dismisses Soccer‑Rights Corruption Charges
A federal judge in Brooklyn has dismissed the corruption charges brought against a former executive of Fox International Channels and a South American sports media firm, ending a high‑profile case that centered on the sale of broadcasting rights for international soccer tournaments.
Administrative Priorities Shape the Ruling
In explaining her ruling, the judge accepted the U.S. Attorney’s argument that the prosecution did not align with the Trump administration’s current prosecutorial priorities, which focus on terrorism, national security, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking and violent gangs.
Hernan Lopez, who once led Fox International Channels, publicly expressed relief that the case had finally been resolved, while the court also noted that the dismissal was not swayed by the earlier acquittal ruling that had been vacated.
Prosecutors had previously told the Supreme Court that ending the criminal case served the interests of justice, underscoring the unusual alignment between the Justice Department and the court’s interpretation of priority.
The case had drawn attention because it intersected sports, media and federal law, raising questions about how resources are allocated within the Justice Department and the broader implications for future investigations into sports‑related corruption.