Rafa Marquez’s U.S. Treasury Department blacklisting, explained

Mexico captain Rafa Marquez, age 39, is playing in his fifth World Cup, and was a surprising selection to start Mexico’s game against Brazil in the Round of 16 on Monday.

Marquez has been a topic of discussion in the lead up to this World Cup not because of anything he did on the field, but because of his off-field dealings. Reports revealed that in August Marquez was placed on a U.S. Treasury Department “blacklist” that contains people the department believes has aided in the laundering of drug money for drug cartels.

Why did this happen?

According to multiple reports, Marquez was connected to several businesses that stand accused of acting as fronts for Raúl Flores Hernández, who is alleged to be the leader of a drug organization.

Marquez hasn’t been charged with any crimes, and he strongly denies any wrongdoing. He has hired a whole team of lawyers trying to fight the charges. But in the meantime, as a result of his placement on the blacklist, all of Marquez’s assets in the U.S., or with connection to American banks, have been frozen.

How does that affect Marquez in Russia?

Mexico is reportedly being extremely careful with Marquez in Russia, making sure he doesn’t get himself or the team into additional trouble. By being on the blacklist, Marquez is not supposed to align with any American businesses or financial institutions.

From the New York Times:

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.

It’s also apparently been a pain in just about any logistical situation. Marquez is not meant to travel on any airplanes owned by a U.S.-based company, and was forced to miss a Mexico friendly before the World Cup played in Pasadena, as he is reportedly not supposed to enter the United States.

What does FIFA think about all this?

FIFA, like the Mexico National Team, is being careful. At first the organization said it wouldn’t interview Marquez for FIFA broadcasts, but then changed their stance and said they would allow it as long as no sponsor names were visible while he was talking in front of the camera.

Again, from the New York Times:

FIFA also has taken measures to pre-empt contact between Márquez and any of its employees who are American citizens. For instance, if Márquez appears at a news conference that FIFA arranges, the moderator should not be an American.

Marquez is fighting this, and hopes to have his team of lawyers get his name off the list soon. Until then, he will have to continue to lay low at the World Cup.