Legal Twist Ahead of Global Tournament
A federal judge in Brooklyn has dismissed the criminal cases against former Fox executive Hernán López and Argentine sports marketing firm Full Play Group, ending a high‑profile bribery scandal that had threatened to cast a shadow over the upcoming World Cup broadcast.
The Department of Justice moved to drop the charges, arguing that the case no longer aligned with the priorities of the Trump administration, which has shifted its focus toward other enforcement areas as the tournament draws near.
López, once the chief executive of Fox International Channels and founder of the podcast network Wondery, had been convicted in 2023 alongside Full Play Group for allegedly funneling payments to South American soccer officials in exchange for exclusive broadcasting rights. The convictions were initially vacated by Judge Pamela Chen, only to be reinstated after a federal appeals panel reversed her decision.
Full Play Group, based in Argentina, was accused of orchestrating a scheme that funneled illicit payments to CONMEBOL officials to secure lucrative media deals. The company’s activities were part of a broader investigation into corruption within international soccer governance.
The legal maneuvering comes at a critical moment, with Fox slated to broadcast the World Cup matches across the United States, bringing the tournament to millions of American viewers just as the sport’s global spotlight intensifies.
While the dismissal spares López and his corporate partners from further prosecution, it does not resolve the underlying allegations. Federal prosecutors in New Jersey had previously pursued related charges, and the case remains under scrutiny as authorities continue to probe FIFA’s ticketing practices and broader governance issues.
The development underscores the intersecting worlds of corporate power, sports broadcasting, and international soccer regulation, highlighting how political shifts can influence the fate of high‑stakes legal battles.