Federal Judge Drops Bribery Charges Against Former Fox Executive
A federal judge in Brooklyn has dismissed the bribery case against former Fox executive Hernan Lopez, who was convicted in 2023 as part of a sweeping soccer‑corruption scheme.
Prosecutors told the court that the case no longer aligned with the priorities of the Trump administration, which has shifted its focus toward combating terrorism and human trafficking.
The judge accepted the government’s request and entered an order of acquittal, citing the administration’s changed priorities as a key factor.
Lopez, whose company Full Play Group SA had been found guilty of paying bribes to secure broadcasting rights for World Cup and other matches, expressed relief, saying the case should never have been brought.
The dismissal does not erase other convictions tied to the broader corruption case, but it removes one of the high‑profile indictments that had been pursued under the previous administration.
FIFA, which has been cooperating with the Department of Justice, confirmed that the decision will not affect the convictions of other defendants and that the organization will continue to work with U.S. authorities to root out corruption.
The U.S. government has already transferred $201 million to FIFA and related bodies for soccer‑development projects across the Caribbean, South America and other regions, underscoring the financial ties between the sport’s governing body and American funding.
Legal analysts say the move reflects a broader strategic realignment, with the administration choosing to allocate resources to different law‑enforcement challenges.