Former Chicago Fire and Mexico striker Cuahtemoc Blanco stands accused of ordering a hit on a man named Juan Manuel García Bejarano. During a procession that commenced the city of Cuernavaca’s annual fair, Bejarano was gunned down.
The alleged killer was apprehended and accused Cuahtemoc Blanco, the current mayor of Cuernavaca, of having ordered the April 6th shooting; reports El Financiero. The Mexico legend denies the allegations, and says he fears for the safety of himself and his family.
“I don’t like to talk about what happened. I do have heart and feelings. [Garcia] is a man, he was a man. Yes, I am afraid, afraid for my life, for my family but I am staying here,” Cuahtemoc said in his first interview since the allegations were brought against him. Blanco had been away from Cuernavaca, but has since returned to the city where he’s had a a very tumultuous and controversial regime.
“I am staying here. If anything, this [incident] gives me strength to continue to fight the injustices because this is really an aberration and a sickness. Why did they do this? You all should be asking, why did they do this?”
Via Deadspin: “ESPN reported that Blanco’s political rival Graco Ramirez, who is the governor of the Morelos, just south of Mexico City, said both the victim and the killer were involved with cartels.”
“I can tell you with absolute responsibility that the man [who carried out the killing at] the procession is detained. He came from Jalisco [state] to kill him, he’s from a cartel and [Garcia] was involved in similar themes,” said Ramirez in a talk with students from the University of Southern California.
Despite the scandals, Blanco — who was spotted at a Chicago Cubs baseball game last week — has vowed to not back down or take a break and will continue in politics.
As noted above, Blanco was recently back in Chicago, where he enjoyed a short but very successful club career. He scored 16 goals in 62 appearances for the Fire from 2007-09. He was a finalist for the Major League Soccer MVP award in two of those three seasons, and he claimed the MVP of the 2008 MLS All-Star Game.
That same season, he was the MLS’ second highest paid player, behind only David Beckham.
Internationally, Blanco had a legendary career, playing in three World Cups for Mexico. He also holds the record (along with Brazilian Ronaldinho) for Confederations Cup scoring. He scored 39 goals in 120 appearances for El Tri.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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