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| Shakira and Gerard Piqué pose backstage at the hit play "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts One & Two" on Broadway at The Lyric Theatre on September 7, 2019 in New York City. |
Footballer Gerard Pique has split from Shakira in
a relationship that saw each star hit headlines in more ways than one.
The Colombian pop
star, 45, announced the couple had split amid
unconfirmed reports suggested Pique had cheated on her, which
neither of the pair has commented on. Other reports claim they were in an open
relationship.
They were recently spotted together watching their
son play baseball and will reportedly stay friends, bringing an
end to a relationship of 11 years.
It hasn't been a
good few months for Pique on and off the pitch, with his Barcelona team failing
to secure any silverware this season and needing a big rebuilding project in
the summer after losing Lionel Messi at the start of the season.
Some cruel jokes
emerged on Twitter, including one user who said that things have gone wrong
since Pique, 35, tweeted "we are back" on March 20 following his
Barcelona side's crushing 4-0 victory over arch-rivals Real Madrid in El
Clasico.
Gerard Pique had a
court ruling that he had to pay just under £1.8million in back taxes and fines
annulled in 2021. The court said the company Pique set up with his brother to
handle his image rights, Kerad Project, was legitimate.
A court in 2016 had
ruled Pique had avoided taxes in 2008, 2009 and 2010. This ruling was then
upheld in 2019 in Spain's top criminal court, the National Court, but the
Barcelona defender appealed successfully.
The Hips Don't Lie
singer, who has denied any wrongdoing, is accused of avoiding tax payments
between 2012 and 2014 to the tune of around £12.3mil. The court ruled she was
"a habitual resident in Spain", despite her official residence being
in the Bahamas.
An earlier ruling
from July 2021 said there was "sufficient evidence of criminality"
for the case to go to trial.
It has been
reported a deal with the Prosecutor’s Office may be reached, but she may have
to go to trial if not.
Shakira's team said: "Shakira’s conduct on tax matters has always been impeccable in all the countries where she has had to pay taxes, and she has trusted and faithfully followed the recommendations of the best specialists and expert advisors."
Gerard Pique and
Shakira split following rumours of difficulties in their relationships and
unconfirmed accusations that Pique cheated on the Colombian singer. Neither of
the pair has commented on the rumours.
The couple were
together for 11 years and have two children together, though did not get
married.
Despite the
rumours, a statement released via Shakira's publicist made no accusation that
the Spain defender had been unfaithful.
It read: "We regret to confirm that we are parting ways. For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect their privacy.
"Thank you for your understanding."
They first got
together in 2010 when Pique was training ahead of the 2010 World Cup in South
Africa. Shakira's Waka Waka single was the tournament's official song.
