DOJ Moves to Dismiss Charges in High-Profile Soccer Corruption Case
Federal prosecutors in New York have taken the significant step of moving to drop all charges against former Fox employee Hernan Lopez and the Argentine sports media company Full Play Group. This action seeks to end a protracted legal battle stemming from convictions related to bribery for World Cup broadcasting rights. The decision, filed with the court 'in the interests of justice,' marks a pivotal turn in a case that has spanned multiple administrations and appeals.
In a notable development within the international sports and legal communities, federal prosecutors in New York have formally moved to dismiss all criminal charges against Hernan Lopez, a former Fox executive, and Full Play Group, an Argentine sports media rights company. This move seeks to conclude a complex, multi-year prosecution centered on allegations of bribery and corruption to secure lucrative soccer broadcasting contracts.
The Case and the Convictions
The case against Lopez and Full Play Group stemmed from accusations that they participated in a scheme to pay tens of millions of dollars in bribes to secure broadcasting rights for premier soccer events, including the FIFA World Cup and Copa America tournaments. According to the prosecution, these payments were intended to corruptly influence the awarding of media rights. In 2024, a jury in Brooklyn federal court found Lopez guilty on charges including money laundering, conspiracy, and wire fraud conspiracy. Full Play Group was convicted on similar counts, with additional charges related specifically to the World Cup and Copa America.
The Prosecution's Reversal
The recent motion represents a dramatic shift in the government's position. In a letter to U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen, who presided over the trial, U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella for the Eastern District of New York stated that the charges should be dismissed "in the interests of justice." This legal maneuver aims to terminate the ongoing appeals process. Concurrently, the U.S. Solicitor General's office filed a related brief with the Supreme Court, supporting the dismissal and requesting that the high court hear Lopez's appeal, reverse a prior appellate decision, and remand the case for dismissal.
A Protracted Legal Battle
The path to this point has been legally convoluted. Following the 2024 convictions, Judge Chen granted a defense motion for acquittal. However, the Justice Department under the Biden administration appealed that ruling. A federal appeals court subsequently ordered the reinstatement of the convictions, setting the stage for the current appeals before the Supreme Court. The prosecution's decision to now seek dismissal effectively abandons the effort to uphold those reinstated convictions, signaling a conclusion to a case that has persisted through multiple Justice Department leaderships.
Implications and Next Steps
The motion to dismiss must still be approved by Judge Chen. If granted, it would bring a definitive end to the criminal proceedings against Lopez and Full Play Group. This development highlights the complexities of prosecuting international corruption cases, where legal strategies and interpretations of justice can evolve over time. For the defendants, it offers a path to avoid potential prison sentences and the lasting stigma of a criminal record from this case. The broader soccer and media industries will be watching closely, as the outcome may influence perceptions of accountability in the high-stakes world of global sports broadcasting rights.
