A federal judge in Brooklyn has dismissed the indictment against Hernan Lopez, a former executive of Fox International Channels, ending a high‑profile soccer corruption case that had lingered for years.
Lopez had been convicted in 2023 for funneling bribes to secure broadcasting rights for World Cup and other marquee matches, a scheme that also implicated his former company, Full Play Group SA.
The legal saga took a dramatic turn when an appeals court reinstated the convictions in July, only to see those rulings later vacated as additional appeals piled up, leaving the prosecution’s future uncertain.
Why the Administration Stepped In
In explaining the dismissal, the judge referenced a directive from the Trump administration that prioritizes cases involving domestic and foreign terrorist organizations, national security threats, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking and violent gangs, arguing that the soccer case did not meet those criteria.
The decision sparked a backlash from anti‑corruption advocates who warned that political considerations could undermine the rule of law, yet the court maintained that the dismissal was not a reflection of its earlier acquittal ruling.
FIFA’s Response and Ongoing Anti‑Corruption Work
FIFA issued a statement supporting the U.S. government’s move, emphasizing that dropping the case would not affect the convictions of other defendants and reaffirming its commitment to rooting out corruption in football.
The organization highlighted a series of disciplinary actions, including lifetime bans for officials found guilty of graft, and pointed to its partnership with the Department of Justice to strengthen oversight.
The United States has contributed more than $200 million to FIFA and allied bodies to fund soccer initiatives worldwide, ranging from after‑school leagues in Miami to refurbished community fields in Ohio, Tennessee and Washington, D.C., as well as youth tournaments across the Caribbean and South America.
While the legal battle for Lopez remains unresolved, the episode underscores the complex interplay between international sports governance, U.S. political priorities and global development projects.