US Drops Soccer TV Rights Corruption Case Against Ex-Fox Executive Hernan Lopez

New York: US prosecutors have asked the Supreme Court to drop their fight to preserve the convictions of Hernan Lopez, former CEO of Fox International Channels, and Full Play Group SA, a South American sports media company, in a corruption case related to TV rights for international soccer tournaments.

The move comes after a years-long legal battle, with Lopez and Full Play initially convicted in 2023 for money laundering, conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. However, a judge later acquitted them, only for an appeals court to reinstate the convictions in July.

Prosecutors have now determined that dismissing the case is "in the interests of justice," without providing further explanation. The case will be sent back to a lower court to consider dismissing the indictment.

Lopez welcomed the decision, saying the charges were "baseless from the start" and he's looking to put the matter behind him. Full Play Group SA has not commented publicly.