Former Colombian striker now a wanted man

At the height of his football career, Colombia’s Freddy Rincon was sought after by football clubs like Brazilian powerhouse Corinthians and Real Madrid.

Now, at the age of 48, his pursuers are of a different variety — Interpol.

The international police said on Wednesday that Rincon, who played in three World Cup finals in the 1990s, is wanted for questioning about drug crimes in Panama.

The former striker, who also had a stint with Real Madrid, is allegedly involved in money-laundering and criminal conspiracy relating to drugs.

Colombian media reported that Rincon, who captained Corinthians to their first World Club Cup title in 2000, has business and property interests in Panama bought in partnership with Colombian drug lord Pablo Rayo Montano.

Prosecutors in Panama say Rincon served as a front man for a Panama-based firm used by Colombian drug dealers to launder money.

Rincon has said in the past that the money he invested in the business was his and denied any links to drug trafficking.

He said the allegations were refuted back in 2007 when he was held for investigation for more than four months in Brazil.

Rincon, most famous for scoring a goal against Germany in the 1990 World Cup finals, told Colombian weekly Semana: "Panama has no evidence against me, and that's why Brazil archived the case against me. Colombia should do the same."

Source: Reuters