Rafael Márquez
The Mexican soccer star is involved in a heavy scandal that ties him to a money laundering scheme linked to drug lord Raúl Flores. GettyImages

"The Simpsons" have been pretty spot on predicting many things in the past, like Donald Trump's unfortunate presidency, but now people on social media are claiming they also predicted the Rafa Márquez scandal. The Mexican soccer star has been linked by the U.S. Treasury to a money laundering scheme with ties to drug kingpin Raúl Flores. Ever since news broke, social media users have been commenting and best of all... creating memes.

The following reads: "Mr. Atlas, you have been a father for 20 years, do you think Rafa Márquez could be a leader of a criminal gang? Then it cuts to Márquez on the soccer field and Homer responding: "it's true, he's capable of everything."

The following shows Márquez as the leader of all the criminals in the "Simpsons" world.

The next one says: "My Rafa is not a narco, he could be a liar, pig, communist, narco, but never a porn star."

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."

Rafa Márquez refuted the claims in a press conference he held the day the scandal erupted. "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."

Regional Mexican singer Julión Álvarez was also one of the names that appeared on the list. He has since denied that he has taken part in fraudulent schemes. "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]."

Álvarez continued his explanation: "On the day they tell me to present myself, I will be there. Rafa Márquez is one of the best soccer players and he has been playing soccer for many years, he doesn't need to be involved in this. Maybe we could team up or do it independently. I only think has something to do with envy, jealousy and success, everything that they are saying has an explanation. Let's pray and believe me that I am alright, don't worry about me."

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