Chilean Justice Dismisses Case Against Ex-Football Chief Jadue in FIFAGate Scandal

Chilean justice has closed the case against former National Professional Football Association (ANFP) president Sergio Jadue, dismissing charges of embezzlement and tax offenses. The decision, made Tuesday, July 28, 2026, by a Santiago court, means Jadue will not face prosecution in Chile for these specific crimes.

Jadue has been living in the United States for over a decade, entangled in the "FIFAGate" corruption scandal that implicated numerous South American football officials in bribery schemes related to commercial and television rights. He had previously accepted his involvement in the scandal, which came to light in 2015.

The dismissal in Chile was granted at the request of Jadue's defense, citing the statute of limitations for the penal action. This ruling also negates Chile's extradition request for Jadue, which was based on the prosecution's argument that his last relevant action occurred in 2017.

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We had the thesis that due to a penalty determination rule, the term had to be longer. The court considered something else.

Despite the court's decision, the Chilean Public Ministry indicated it would evaluate a potential appeal. Prosecutor Marco Paredes explained that the court interpreted the statute of limitations differently than the prosecution, which believed a longer period should apply. If the ruling is confirmed, it would lift the arrest warrant and allow Jadue to potentially return to Chile.

Jadue's situation in the U.S. case, being tried in Miami, has seen his sentencing postponed 16 times. Recent changes by the U.S. Department of Justice regarding international corruption cases, including the revocation of some convictions, could influence Jadue's own legal standing and potentially lead him to seek the annulment of his sentence.

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The effects are that the arrest warrant and the dismissal are annulled, and he could return to the country.