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Former Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez sanctioned for suspected drug trafficking links

Rafael Marquez

The U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned former Barcelona defender Rafael Marquez and more than 20 others for suspected links with an accused drug kingpin, tarnishing the reputation of one of Mexico's sporting giants.

Marquez is accused of financial ties to Raul Flores Hernandez, a suspected drug trafficker with links to the Sinaloa cartel and the Jalisco New Generation gang.

The U.S. 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.

The U.S. Treasury Department said the designation was "the largest single Kingpin Act action against a Mexican drug cartel network that OFAC has designated," and comes as US President Donald Trump has promised to crush Mexico's cartels.

Rafael Marquez (second left) lines up for Barcelona
Image: Rafael Marquez (second left) played for Barcelona between 2003 and 2010

"Raul Flores Hernandez has operated for decades because of his longstanding relationships with other drug cartels and his use of financial front persons to mask his investments of illegal drug proceeds," OFAC Director John E. Smith said in a statement, calling the move a "major joint action" with Mexico.

Marquez, who hails from the cartel-riddled state of Michoacan, played in Europe for Barcelona and Monaco, and still occasionally captains the Mexico national team, having represented his country in four World Cups.

According to documents on the Treasury's website, Marquez was linked to Flores Hernandez's organisation via a football school called Escuela de Futbol Rafael Marquez as well as various other sports and health outfits.

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Marquez's current team, Club Atlas in Guadalajara, could not immediately be reached for comment.

The U.S. Treasury said it had sanctioned 43 entities linked to Flores Hernandez's holdings, from sectors including sport, hospitality and tourism and health.

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.

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