To No One's Surprise

FIFA Bribery Charges Dropped After Trump Given Peace Prize Under Scrutiny

Federal prosecutors in the U.S. moved to drop charges in a long-running international soccer bribery case on Tuesday, days after President Donald Trump received the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

The news has prompted scrutiny online, though there is no evidence of any connection between the award and prosecutors' move to dismiss the charges.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department told Newsweek in an emailed statement: “These prosecutions are not consistent with the current prosecutorial priorities of the United States, which direct the Department of Justice’s resources into Making America Safe Again.”

Why It Matters

Prosecutors' move to drop the charges is the latest turn in a high-profile case involving corruption at the highest levels of international soccer.

While there is no evidence of wrongdoing, the timing of the move—so soon after Trump's award—has prompted speculation.

"No evidence of wrongdoing" ? 

What the fuck is any president doing accepting anything of any value from somebody who has business before that president's DOJ?

U.S. prosecutors asked the Supreme Court on Tuesday to drop bribery charges against Hernan Lopez, a former Fox executive, and the Argentine sports marketing company Full Play Group.

Lopez was convicted in 2023 of conspiring to pay millions in bribes to secure broadcast rights for South American soccer tournaments, while Full Play was accused of coordinating and facilitating the bribes on behalf of broadcasters.

The charges were part of a wider U.S. probe into bribery schemes involving officials in FIFA-affiliated regional bodies, though FIFA itself was not charged.

Prosecutors said the government had determined that "dismissal of this criminal case is in the interests of justice."

Lopez told the Associated Press that he was relieved by the move to dismiss what he called baseless charges.

In Washington, D.C., on Friday, Trump was awarded the FIFA Peace Prize during the draw for the 2026 World Cup—which is scheduled to take place next summer in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino presented Trump with the award, which the organization says is intended to "reward individuals who have taken exceptional and extraordinary actions for peace and by doing so have united people across the world."

Commenting on the news that prosecutors had moved to drop the charges, CNN reporter Aaron Blake wrote on X: "A week after FIFA gave Trump a newly created award and made him a focal point of the World Cup draw. And with no real explanation."

Reporter Sam Stein wrote on X, "Amazing what a made up trophy can get you these days."

The award itself has drawn scrutiny, with a human rights group asking FIFA's Ethics Committee to investigate whether awarding Trump breached FIFA's rules on political neutrality.

Earlier this year, FIFA opened an office in Trump Tower in New York City, further signaling its growing relationship with the president.

What People Are Saying

Hernan Lopez said in a statement to the Associated Press: "The charges were baseless from the start, and I have fought for five years to clear my name."

FIFA President Gianni Infantino wrote on Instagram after the World Cup draw: "I was honored and delighted to present the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize—Football Unites the World award to U.S. President Donald J. Trump for his unwavering commitment to advancing peace and unity throughout the world through his notable leadership and action."

What Happens Next

The Supreme Court is now set to consider prosecutors' motion to return the case to a lower court, where a judge is expected to formally dismiss the indictment.