Summary
U.S. prosecutors have decided to drop a corruption case against a former Fox executive and a South American sports media company related to TV rights for international soccer tournaments. The legal case involved charges of bribery to obtain lucrative broadcasting rights, but prosecutors now believe dismissing the charges is the right step. The decision comes amidst changing standards for prosecuting corruption cases in the U.S.
Key Facts
- U.S. prosecutors want to end a legal fight over international soccer TV rights involving a former Fox executive and a South American company.
- Hernan Lopez, the former CEO of Fox International Channels, was initially convicted in 2023 but later granted an acquittal.
- An appeals court had reversed the acquittal, but ongoing appeals left the case uncertain.
- The prosecutors now say dropping the case serves justice, though they haven't explained their reasons.
- The U.S. investigation began in 2015, uncovering $150 million in bribes within soccer's governing body, FIFA.
- Lopez was accused of arranging bribes for soccer officials to secure broadcasting rights for tournaments like the Copa Libertadores.
- Changes in U.S. corruption laws and enforcement approaches have made such convictions more challenging.
- The U.S., Canada, and Mexico will host the 2026 World Cup.
