U.S. Judge Dismisses FIFA Bribery Indictments Amid DOJ Shift

On May 27 2026, U.S. District Judge Pamela K. Chen granted the Justice Department’s motion to dismiss the criminal indictments against former Fox executive Hernán López and Argentine firm Full Play Group. The DOJ said the case “does not fit with the administration’s priorities.”

CNN

The 2015 raid of FIFA offices sparked a U.S. indictment of 14 officials for a two-decade bribery scheme. Subsequent investigations targeted companies that allegedly paid officials for broadcast and commercial rights to tournaments such as the Copa América and World Cup qualifiers.

Judge Throws Out Conviction of Ex-Fox Exec in Soccer Bribery Case

Hernán López, former senior 21st Century Fox executive, was accused of paying millions to South-American federation presidents to secure Fox’s rights to the Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana and the 2018/2022 World Cup broadcasts. Argentine firm Full Play Group faced charges for bribing officials to obtain rights to World Cup qualifiers and marquee events.

Judge Throws Out Conviction of Ex-Fox Exec in Soccer Bribery Case

2015: FIFA raids and U.S. indictment of 14 officials. 2020: López and Full Play indicted. 2023: Jury convictions. Mid-2023: Judge Chen overturns convictions. July 2025: 2nd Circuit reinstates them. Dec 2025: DOJ moves to dismiss. May 27 2026: Judge Chen dismisses.

CNN

The 2023 convictions involved alleged bribes of several million dollars for broadcast rights to at least three major tournaments. The case was the most recent of dozens of guilty pleas and convictions stemming from the broader FIFA corruption investigation.

Judge Throws Out Conviction of Ex-Fox Exec in Soccer Bribery Case

U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella told court the Department “does not want to use its resources to continue to pursue the prosecution.” Judge Chen said she was prepared to rule and emphasized the decision was based on the DOJ’s priority assessment, not procedural concerns.

CNN

Defense attorneys for López and Full Play joined the dismissal motion, calling the case “one that never should have been brought.” Attorney David Sarratt said he “believed in our client and our case the whole way,” noting his relief.

Judge Throws Out Conviction of Ex-Fox Exec in Soccer Bribery Case

The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the convictions in July 2025, contradicting the DOJ’s later dismissal request. The Department clarified the dismissal applies only to López and Full Play and does not affect other convictions, leaving the status of related appeals uncertain.

CNN

• “Six years, a case that never should have started is finally over,” — Hernán López, former Fox executive

Judge Throws Out Conviction of Ex-Fox Exec in Soccer Bribery Case

• “I am relieved,” — Hernán López

CNN

• “The Department of Justice does not want to use its resources to continue to pursue the prosecution.” — Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York

CNN

• “It doesn’t fit with the administration’s priorities” — Joseph Nocella, U.S. Attorney

CNN

López has asked the Supreme Court to review the appellate reversal, and John Sauer has urged the Court to send the case back to Judge Chen for dismissal. Meanwhile, New York and New Jersey attorneys general have subpoenaed FIFA over ticket-pricing practices.

Judge Throws Out Conviction of Ex-Fox Exec in Soccer Bribery Case