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Singer Shakira and boyfriend Gerard Pique.
There are many ways to get kicked off of a professional sports team, but ... dating a celebrity?
Singer Shakira’s swinging hips could become trouble for her boyfriend, Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué.
Piqué plays for both the Spanish national team and for FC Barcelona, and Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola is allegedly threatening to leave the team if the 25-year-old star defender doesn’t get the boot first.
According to reports, Guardiola isn’t exactly thrilled with the influence of the Latin pop star on his player’s game, deeming Shakira “too big of a distraction” for Piqué.
A headline on NESN.com calls Shakira the club's "Yoko Ono," and the story says problems began when Pique posted photos of himself vacationing with Shakira last summer.
"In the pictures, he was white-water rafting; an activity not allowed by the team," NESN reports. "He had been late to training as recently as October and has consistently broken team rules.”
Piqué may have nothing to worry about, as the team reportedly can replace the coach easier than it can a talented player. The soccer star previously proved his worth as a key player when Spain won the 2010 World Cup. He began dating Shakira that same year, and was featured in her World Cup-themed music video for “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).”
Shakira confirmed their relationship via Twitter in 2011, posting a picture with the tweet, “Les presento a mi sol” (I present to you my sunshine).
The couple has since been open about their developing fling, even caught in some very visible public displays of affection.
While some sports fans understand Guardiola’s attitude, others are saying this is all nonsense.
“Guardiola has other issues in mind and I don't think he cares about who Piqué is dating, but it's true that Piqué is not playing well at all,” writes a reader going by naroa728 on MSN.
Adds reader Jeremy, “The silver lining between where a manager involves himself in a player's personal life off the field is not always clear, and differs from every club. Should Piqué be allowed to keep dating Shakira and Barcelona go on to win the Champions league then Pep will be criticized for wanting to split the couple. Should Barcelona let go of Pique and they go on to have a great future without him then Pep will be thanked by all the fans and hailed as a great manager.”
Should the coach be able to kick a player off his team if he feels his girlfriend is a distraction? Tell us on Facebook.
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*facepalm*
That is NOT how the phrase "silver lining" is supposed to be used.
I thought the same thing! I think it was supposed to be "there is a thin line between..."
Sounds like the coach should start looking for a new job. Shakira is probably worth the trouble.
Worth it.
If he gets kicked from Barca, I'm sure Real Madrid would be happy to find a spot for him (and Shakira.) If not, he could come to England where it is understood that a footballer is supposed to have a hot girlfriend. This is really all about Guardiola trying to find excuses for Barca being ten points behind Real Madrid in the league tables.
Lucky Ba$tard! I wish I had that kind of misfortune. Not only is she smokin' hot, but also has a brain, which so many celebrities don't.
Good grief. Pep Guardiola easier to replace than Gerard Pique? Never in a million years. Pep is one of the great minds of this footballing generation. With a transfer budget like Barca's, finding a great defender will be easy.
The notion is entirely laughable. Is this just MSNBC getting in on the tabloid game?
I don't see him dumping his girlfriend because of the coach's threat...
Soccer, or sex with Shakira. Hot, sweaty, messy sex. Yeah, go ahead and fire me, douchebag.
I admit, I snorted laughing.
Problem 1: Replace Guardiola?
Answer: Hahahahahahahahah. Never. See ya Pique.
Problem 2: Date Shakira and play with any other top team in Europe, or drop Shakira and play for Barca?
Answer: See ya Barca.
I'm with Guardiola on this. Ever since he's been with that "singer", he's game has been bad....Bye-Bye Pique!
i'd take shakira, and go play for another team, what other team is gonna hate on you for that?
Haha Yoko Ono- it's like when Romo was dating Jessica Simpson! Pique can definitely play for nearly any other European team, if not, there's always America- we'll gladly take him!
Unless there is criminal action involved, what a player does off the field is none of the coaches business and should not be used as an excuse for firing a player. However, that being said, if white water rafting is a forbidden activity for the players and Pique new that at contract time, then he is in violation of his contract and could, theoretically, be dismissed for that violation. But, firing him because he spends too much time with his girlfriend, Shakira or otherwise ... you may as well start firing players for too much beer drinking or too much chocolate cake, or too much ... whatever.
Sorry, coach. You overstepped your authority. Or, rather, you used the wrong argument to exercise it.
Geeze even as a woman, I'd pick Shakira over this whiny soccer coach.
Guy sounds like he might have some jealousy issues.