Marquez, designated as front man for drug kingpin, returns to training
Atlas FC lost Rafa Marquez on the pitch, but Los Zorros aren't abandoning the club legend.
Atlas announced Monday that Marquez is returning to training and will be able to continue his physical preparation in order to stay in shape. Los Zorros' captain is also continuing his legal process after being targeted by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for a longstanding relationship with suspected drug kingpin Raul Flores Hernandez.
Rafael Márquez Álvarez se reintegra a los entrenamientos de Atlas FC.https://t.co/Dh6ZPO9cbA pic.twitter.com/NR8RoKsSy9
— Atlas FC (@atlasfc) September 18, 2017
Marquez was among 22 Mexican nationals and 43 entities in Mexico who were sanctioned in August for allegedly supporting the narcotics-trafficking activities of Flores Hernandez. He was identified as acting as a front person for the kingpin and his drug-trafficking organisation, holding assets on their behalf.
The Treasury Department has frozen "all assets of the sanctioned individuals and entities that are under U.S. jurisdiction or are in the control of U.S. persons ... and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them."
OFAC Kingpin action targets 22 Mexican Nationals & 43 entities—the largest Kingpin designation against a Mexican drug network pic.twitter.com/RaGfecYahf
— Treasury Department (@USTreasury) August 9, 2017
Marquez, whose last appearance for Atlas came three days before the designation, "categorically denied any type of relation with this organisation and with what has been stated in several news reports."
Atlas is in a relegation battle with Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz.