On July 3, 2024, a United States appeals court reinstated the convictions of Hernan Lopez, a former Fox executive, and Full Play, an Argentine sports marketing company, for their part in the sweeping FIFA corruption scandal.
The news evoked a feeling of delayed justice by again raising an uncomfortable reality for football fans around the globe: FIFA really hasn’t changed. After years of promises, public declarations, and supposed reforms, FIFA still functions as an organization that puts profit, power, and politics ahead of transparency, integrity, and fairness.
No better example than the unopposed allocation of the 2034 FIFA World Cup to Saudi Arabia, a nation with an ominous human rights history and no footballing acumen. This newest judicial decision provides us with a moment of honest reflection, and a reason to cry out: Enough is enough. We have to boycott the Saudi 2034 World Cup.
A Corrupt History That Won’t Die
Let’s take it back. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice opened a broad investigation into FIFA corruption, revealing bribery schemes, money laundering, and fraud that implicated the organization’s highest-ranking leaders. The scandal shook international football and led to the resignation of FIFA President Sepp Blatter. More than 50 people and organizations were indicted.
They included Hernan Lopez and Full Play. They were convicted in 2023 of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering for paying bribes worth millions to acquire the broadcasting rights to top tournaments. To everyone’s surprise, their convictions were reversed in 2023—only to be restored in July 2024 by a U.S. federal appeals court due to a misinterpretation of the law.
These instances uncovered the way the largest platform of football was being manipulated for greed, where broadcasting rights and hosting contracts were decided more by backroom deals than by merit or justice.
These convictions being reinstated serve as a reminder: FIFA’s history isn’t in the ground—it remains very much alive, and its signs can be seen in actions such as awarding the 2034 tournament to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia and the Shadow of Sportswashing
Saudi Arabia’s application for the 2034 World Cup was practically unopposed. Just weeks after FIFA had revealed the bid process, all major football nations had withdrawn, leaving Saudi Arabia as the only bidder. Not only is this unopposed transfer suspicious—it’s frightening.
Why? Saudi Arabia has emerged as the world leader in “sportswashing”—the utilization of prominent sporting events to sanitize its global image, deflect attention away from human rights violations, and exert soft power. Here’s a brief rundown of what’s being washed:
- Quashing free speech and peaceful protest.
- Ongoing detention and 75% reported threats or harassment of women’s rights activists.
- Repeated censorship and persecution of the LGBTQ+ community.
- The 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, to which U.S. intelligence directly attributed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
And still, FIFA, having learned so much (and supposed to reform), decided to reward this regime with the world’s biggest tournament in international sport. It’s not just tone-deaf—it’s a betrayal of football’s highest principles.
What do the Lopez & Full Play Convictions Tell Us?
The revocation of convictions in the FIFA bribery case isn’t a mere legal technicality—it’s evidence that FIFA’s dirty business is systemic and entrenched. In the case, the court was told how six of the most influential men in South American soccer lined their pockets with bribes, including former CONMEBOL President Nicolás Lopez and Brazilian soccer chief Ricardo Teixeira.
They were men who had direct sway over FIFA decisions such as hosting tournaments and TV rights. It’s no stretch to argue that similar unseen pressures and questionable negotiations may have influenced the awarding of 2034. After all, the process was rushed, uncompetitive, and shielded from public scrutiny. It smacks of the same secrecy that fueled the 2015 scandal.
FIFA’s Reforms? A Smokescreen
Since the 2015 corruption scandal, FIFA has boasted many “reforms.” They established new committees, approved ethics regulations, and initiated compliance systems. However, the 2034 decision shows that these actions are window dressing rather than actual change.
- How else can you explain the absence of a fair, competitive bidding process?
- Why were nations discouraged from applying in the first place?
- Why was the timeline so brief that only a pre-prepared state-run campaign like Saudi Arabia’s could meet it?
The reality is that FIFA has prioritized short-term profit over long-term integrity. With Saudi Arabia investing billions in international sports, from LIV Golf to Newcastle United to the hosting of esports and boxing tournaments, it’s obvious that FIFA has discovered a very profitable new ally, whatever the price.
What Does This Mean for Football Fans?
Football should bring people together, honor culture, and give something back to the next generation. But if the World Cup can be used as a political instrument of oppressive regimes and as a money machine for corrupt officials, what does that reflect on the sport we cherish? By awarding Saudi Arabia, the rights to host 2034, FIFA has:
- Destroyed its credibility.
- Disregarding its role to respect human rights.
- Betrayed fans, players, and countries that trust in fair play.
Fans have influence. We’ve done it before. When the European Super League was revealed in 2021, fan backlash killed it in a matter of days. The same passion is required now.
How You Can Help Boycott Saudi Arabia’s 2034 World Cup
The message is straightforward: No World Cup in a nation that tramples on human rights and acquires hosting rights under shady circumstances. Here’s what we can do:
- Raise awareness: Post stories, posts, and facts about Saudi Arabia’s abuses and FIFA’s failures.
- Pressure brands and broadcasters: Ask them to reconsider their support for Saudi 2034.
- Support alternative tournaments: Support fan-organized or nonprofit sporting events that promote inclusivity and fairness.
Justice Isn’t Just in the Courts—It’s in the Stands
The court’s reinstatement of the convictions in the FIFA corruption case is a reminder that justice is slow, but it still works. But true justice for football must transcend the courtroom. It must reside in the hearts and behavior of the fans.
Granting Saudi Arabia, the 2034 FIFA World Cup is not only a mistake—it’s an affront to the values the sport professes to hold dear. Let’s not wait for another scandal. Let’s act now. Because if we let this slide, the beautiful game will become just another weapon in the hands of the powerful.