In 2015, the FIFAGate scandal shook the world of football, revealing a corruption scheme involving high-ranking FIFA officials and several companies, including Televisa. The Mexican company was accused of bribing officials to obtain broadcasting rights for the World Cup in 2018, 2022, and future editions.
Emilio Azcárraga and other Televisa executives collaborated with U.S. authorities, reaching an agreement in 2023 to pay 95 million dollars in a class-action lawsuit by investors alleging a distortion of stock value due to hidden bribes.
The bribery accusations for obtaining World Cup broadcasting rights led to the resignation of Emilio Azcárraga Jean, president of Televisa, who became embroiled in a complex web of illicit payments to FIFA officials. Televisa and Globo were accused of paying Julio Grondona, then FIFA vice president, to secure the broadcasting rights.
FIFAGate had significant consequences for Televisa, facing legal lawsuits and damage to its reputation and public image. Emilio Azcárraga Jean took an indefinite leave as executive chairman of the Board of Directors, in the context of restructuring to adapt to market changes and competition from streaming platforms.
Azcárraga Jean's resignation marks a new chapter in the history of Televisa, at a time of transformation in the media industry. The company seeks to overcome the aftermath of FIFAGate, adapt to the market, and consolidate its position in a changing media landscape.
