Justice Department Drops Charges in FIFA Corruption Case

Federal prosecutors in New York have moved to drop charges against Hernan Lopez, a former Fox employee, related to a notorious FIFA corruption case. This decision comes after Lopez was convicted in 2023 of money laundering and wire fraud conspiracies tied to bribing FIFA officials for broadcasting rights to major soccer events.

The U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella, cited the dismissal as being 'in the interests of justice,' as noted in a letter to U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen. The case against Lopez and the Argentine sports marketing firm Full Play Group had seen significant legal back-and-forth, with Lopez's conviction being initially overturned before being reinstated earlier this year.

Prosecutors have requested that the case be returned to a lower court for formal dismissal. Lopez expressed gratitude for the outcome, stating, 'I'm grateful the truth prevailed.' The case is part of a broader investigation that began in 2015, which ultimately led to the downfall of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

The decision to drop the charges raises critical questions about accountability in international sports and the effectiveness of legal actions against corruption, especially given the political implications surrounding the case, including previous presidential pardons related to corruption.

The U.S. government's move to abandon the case could reflect shifts in policy and prosecutorial priorities under the current administration.