Judge blows final whistle in FIFA bribery case (indictments dismissed)
Source: Courthouse News Service
Judge blows final whistle in FIFA bribery case
U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella Jr. appeared solo for the government at Wednesday's hearing, an unusual move that prompted a remark from the judge.
Nina Pullano / May 27, 2026
BROOKLYN (CN) — As New York City prepares to host the 2026 World Cup, a federal judge on Wednesday blew the final whistle on corruption charges against a former Fox executive and a sports media company convicted of conspiring to bribe FIFA for broadcasting rights to tournaments like the World Cup qualifiers and Copa América.
At their 2023 trial, Hernan Lopez, former CEO of Fox International Channels, and Argentinian sports media company Full Play SA took a loss when jurors convicted both parties of wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy. Six months later, U.S. District Judge Pamela Chen overturned their convictions, citing fresh Supreme Court precedent that raised the bar for bribery prosecutions.
The Second Circuit disagreed and reinstated Lopez’s conviction — but earlier this year, the Supreme Court reversed the appellate ruling over improper jury instructions and handed the defendants a win. The government’s motion to dismiss its indictment followed, and Chen, a Barack Obama appointee, granted prosecutors’ request from the bench on Wednesday.
Lopez, who beamed from his seat at the defense table during the roughly 30-minute hearing, expressed his relief seeing the end of the yearslong volley. “Six years later, a case that should have never started is finally over,” Lopez said.
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