Marquez drug taint hits Mexico

The US Treasury on Wednesday accused Rafael Marquez, captain of Mexico’s national football team and a former FC Barcelona player, of being a “front person” for a major drug trafficking organisation.

Marquez, who has captained his team in a record four World Cups, was one of 22 people and 43 entities the US Treasury placed on a sanctions list in relation to a Guadalajara-based drug trafficking group controlled by businessman Raul Flores Hernandez.

The Treasury said Marquez has a “longstanding relationship” with Flores, has acted as a “front person” for him and held assets on his drug cartel’s behalf.

Marquez, who voluntarily reported to the Mexican Justice Ministry, denied any involvement. “I categorically deny any type of relationship with said organisation and the referred events,” the football star said.

The sanctions freeze any assets, such as bank accounts and property, that a blacklisted person holds in a US jurisdiction, and bans any US individuals or companies from doing business with them. The US announcement rocked the Mexican football world where Marquez, popularly known as Rafa, is a legend at 38 after making his debut for the national team in February 1997.

In 2003, he signed with Barcelona, becoming the first Mexican player to win a Champions League final in 2006. After four years with Barca, he played for Red Bulls of US Major League Soccer, and then joined Mexico’s Club Leon, and most recently played for Atlas at home.