Here is Why World Cup Sponsors Are Boycotting Mexico Star Rafael Márquez

The training shirts and all other stuff worn by Mexican legend Rafael Marquez in the 2018 World Cup do not feature any sponsor logos. Let us find out why.

39-year old Rafael Márquez played two times for Mexico so far, coming from the bench to secure Mexico's two World Cup wins. At full time he was quickly escorted off, just in case he was caught next to a sponsor’s logo. His training shirt does also not feature any sponsor logos.

Rafael Marquez Is On US Treasury Department Blacklist

The reason is that for nearly a year, Márquez has been on a US treasury department blacklist, accused of being a front for a Mexican drug lord. Márquez denies the accusation and has not been charged with any offence. He has all his assets in the US, and Mexican assets with ties to American companies, frozen.

If they knowingly engage with Márquez during the tournament, the US government could pursue fines of up to $10m (£7.5m) against a company and prison sentences against individuals.

Sponsors are now employing a World Cup boycott, only against one man. Márquez’s training strip does not feature of any adverts. FIFA has advised that if the player is interviewed after a game, he can’t stand in front of sponsor ads.

Iran have also fallen foul of a boycott, with Nike saying it couldn’t supply the team’s players with football boots because of US sanctions against the country.

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