Rafael Márquez has been on the U.S. treasury department's blacklist for nearly a year.GETTY IMAGES
For "wheezing footballers of a certain age," Mexico's Rafael Márquez "is an inspiration," according to Paul MacInnes of the London GUARDIAN. For a number of int'l brands, however, "he is turning out to be a nightmare." The Mexican defender is appearing at his fifth World Cup this summer at the age of 39. He "helped seal his team's upset victory" against Germany on Sunday. After coming off the bench with 15 minutes remaining, "at full time he was quickly escorted off again, just in case he was caught next to a sponsor’s logo." For nearly a year, Márquez has been on a U.S. treasury department blacklist, "accused of being a front for a Mexican drug lord." He denies the accusation and "has not been charged" with any offense. If U.S. corporations that "forked out" big dollars to be World Cup sponsors "knowingly engage with Márquez during the tournament," the U.S. government "could pursue fines" of up to $10M against a company and "prison sentences against individuals." In effect, sponsors "are now employing a World Cup boycott, only against one man." Márquez’s training strip "has been shorn of any adverts" and FIFA advised that if the player is interviewed after a game, he cannot "stand in front of those mandatory Perspex boards covered in logos." According to the N.Y. Times, "there is even a plan for what should happen" were Márquez to win a man of the match award, given that the prize is sponsored by Budweiser (GUARDIAN, 6/20).
