US Drops Charges Against Hernan Lopez in FIFA Bribery Case

BREAKING: Federal prosecutors in New York have just announced the dismissal of charges against Hernan Lopez, a former employee of Fox, implicated in the infamous FIFA bribery scandal. This significant legal development ends a prolonged battle over broadcasting rights for major soccer events, including the World Cup.

In a letter addressed to U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella, stated that the charges against Lopez and Full Play Group, the Argentine sports rights company involved, should be dropped “in the interests of justice.” This announcement, made on Tuesday, comes after years of legal challenges and appeals surrounding the case.

Lopez was convicted in 2024 on serious charges, including money laundering, conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy, linked to the payment of tens of millions of dollars in bribes to secure broadcasting rights. His conviction had previously been reinstated by an appeals court earlier this year after Judge Chen had granted a motion for acquittal. The Biden administration’s Justice Department has now reversed its position, recommending that the Supreme Court hear Lopez’s appeal and dismiss the case entirely.

The implications of this decision are profound, as it not only clears Lopez but also impacts the standing of Full Play Group, which faced additional counts of wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering. The legal saga had drawn significant attention, reflecting broader concerns over corruption in international sports governance.

As this story develops, legal experts and sports officials will closely monitor the Supreme Court’s next steps. For now, Lopez and Full Play Group can finally breathe a sigh of relief after a tumultuous chapter in the world of sports media rights.

Stay tuned for updates as we follow further developments in this high-profile case.