Justice Department moves to drop charges in international soccer corruption case
Federal prosecutors in New York have made the decision to drop charges against Hernan Lopez, a former Fox employee who was convicted of paying millions of dollars in bribes to secure broadcasting rights to high-profile soccer matches, including the World Cup. This move comes after a lengthy legal battle and a series of appeals.
In a letter to U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen, U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella stated that the charges against Lopez and Full Play Group, the Argentine sports media company involved in the scandal, should be dismissed “in the interests of justice.” The Solicitor General’s Office also filed a Supreme Court appeal on Tuesday, arguing for the dismissal of the case and requesting a review of Lopez’s conviction.
Lopez was initially convicted in 2024 on charges of money laundering, conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy. Full Play Group was also convicted on additional counts related to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering in connection with the World Cup and Copa America. Despite a motion for acquittal granted by Judge Chen in 2024, a federal appeals court reinstated the convictions earlier this year, prompting further legal action.
Attempts to reach Lopez’s representatives for comment have been unsuccessful, while lawyers for Full Play Group have declined to provide a statement on the matter. The ongoing legal saga surrounding this case highlights the complexities of prosecuting white-collar crime and the challenges of securing convictions in high-profile corruption cases.
As the legal proceedings continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how the courts will ultimately decide the fate of Hernan Lopez and Full Play Group. The dropping of charges by federal prosecutors signifies a significant development in this case, one that could have far-reaching implications for future prosecutions of similar crimes in the sports broadcasting industry.
