Rafael Marquez: Mexican Judge Orders To Unfreeze His Bank Accounts

It's good news for Rafa Marquez, as a Mexican federal judge has ordered to unfreeze his bank accounts so he could dispose of his wealth. According to Denise Maerker's "Atando Cabos", the eight district judge, said that there is no evidence that there are ties between the soccer star and Raúl "El Tío" Flores, the drug trafficker he was linked to. The judge also gave authorities five days to present any further evidence that would tie Rafa to what the U.S. Treasury is accusing him of.

The Mexican soccer club Atlas star, Rafa Márquez, was included in a list by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) as one of the 21 Mexican nationals and 42 entities with ties to alleged drug trafficker Raúl Flores Hernández. "Raul Flores Hernandez has operated for decades because of his longstanding relationships with other drug cartels and his use of financial front persons to mask his investments of illegal drug proceeds," said OFAC Director John E. Smith. "This major joint action reflects the U.S. government's close cooperation with our law enforcement partners in Mexico to stop the illegal flow of narcotics and to target and expose drug kingpins and those who facilitate their illicit financial networks."

Following the publication of the list, Márquez' visa was canceled and has not been able to travel in to the U.S., which includes playing for the National Mexican soccer team or doing business. That also meant that all of his bank accounts and assets were frozen until everything was cleared up.

Shortly after the accusations, Marquez held a press conference to give his take on the situation. "I understand the judicial situation that I am in and I will look at it with my lawyers," he said during a brief press conference. "I want to make it clear that I don't and have never participated with these organizations that I am being linked to." He also added: "I will cooperate with the government when I am asked to. I want to ask for respect towards me and my family. I thank everyone that has sent me messages of motivation and support and I will not fail you."

Rafa's wife, Jaydy Michel, also sent out a message of support to her man. "With you in the good and bad moments holding your hand because I love you, I believe in you my love."

Julión Álvarez was also implicated in the money laundering scheme. He also held a press conference where he denied any ties to what the U.S. Treasury is accusing him of. "I need to seek advise to see where this is coming from," he said during a Facebook Live in his ranch. "I am a countryman that knows how to do his things ... it has cost me a lot - the little or a lot of things that I have. I don't have the need to do the things that I am being accused of. You guys know who I am, I also have a lot of friends that know me, but this is part of [the industry]."