US links Mexico football captain to drug cartel

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 organization.

Marquez, who has captained his team a record four times in the World Cup, 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.

It said Flores, who was indicted in Washington, DC and California in March on charges of cocaine trafficking, flew under the radar for years by operating in strategic alliances with the heads of the more notorious Sinaloa cartel and another, the Jalisco New Generation cartel.

Marquez, who voluntarily reported to the Mexican Justice Ministry, denied any involvement.

"I categorically deny any type of relationship with said organization and the referred events," the football star said in a statement.

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.

Mexican authorities, who said that Flores was captured in Mexico on July 20, took actions to seize assets linked to the group. US authorities said Flores controls a casino, restaurants, bars, a shipping company and a music production company, mostly based in Jalisco state.

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 and then leading the team in the last four World Cups.