Mexico football star on US blacklist

Rafael Marquez, Mexico's world cup captain, is on a United States Treasury Department blacklist. He was associated with laundering money for drug cartel's, however, has pleaded his innocence in the matter. Marquez is not allowed to fly with any American-owned airlines, or be seen in the media associated with any American companies, he drinks from different water bottles to his teammates, and often has to wear different training kit. He has also agreed not to get paid.

MOSCOW — Rafael Márquez, one of the best-known stars on Mexico’s World Cup soccer team, is a standout of the tournament in Russia. But it has nothing to do with his prowess on the field.

Márquez, 39, is on a United States Treasury Department blacklist of people it says have helped launder money for drug cartels. His inclusion on the list prohibits American individuals, businesses and banks from having anything to do with him.

So Márquez does not drink from the same branded water bottles as his teammates or wear the same uniform at practices. Instead of being planted in front of sponsors’ logos at every opportunity, as is normally the case for prominent players, “Rafa,” as he is known, is kept away.

If he is the best player in a game, he most assuredly will not be named the Budweiser Man of the Match. His lodging is carefully scrutinized to prevent him from staying in places that have any American connections, even if it means getting him a room away from the team. And however hard he works on the field, Márquez has agreed to not get paid.