Former AS Monaco player Rafael Marquez is suspected of having been involved in a vast network of drug trafficking. All his property in the United States has been frozen, according to the US Treasury.
Raul Flores Hernandez is the alleged leader of the network, which involves 22 Mexican citizens and 42 other “entities”, according to the American authorities. Mexico has seized property belonging to Mr Hernandez and his network, known as the Flores drug trafficking organisation, including the Grand Casinos in the Guadalajara region of western Mexico.
US authorities point out that these sanctions come after several years of joint investigations with their Mexican counterparts.
Rafael Marquez has denied involvement. He said: “I categorically deny any relationship with this organisation and with the events in question.” He said he was trying to clear his name, adding that he had voluntarily presented himself to the Mexican Ministry of Justice.
Rafael Marquez played for AS Monaco from 1999 to 2003, during which time the team became becoming champion of France, in 2000. He then joined FC Barcelona, where he still plays.