Madonna denies divorce, A-Rod rumors

NEW YORK, July 7 (UPI) -- U.S. pop star Madonna has issued a statement denying that she and her British filmmaker husband Guy Ritchie are getting a divorce.

In her exclusive statement to People magazine, Madonna also shot down rumors that she had an affair with New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez and was the reason for his breakup with his wife.

Madonna's publicist previously issued a similar statement of denial, however, the rumors have persisted.

"My husband and I are not planning on getting a divorce. I know Alex Rodriguez through Guy Oseary, who manages both of us. I brought my kids to a Yankee game. I am not romantically involved in any way with Alex Rodriguez. I have nothing to do with the state of his marriage or what spiritual path he may choose to study," Madonna said in her statement to People magazine. "I have learned over the years not to take accusations and the many false reports about me very seriously."

Rodriguez's wife Cynthia reportedly has blamed a rumored affair between her husband and the singer, as well as A-Rod's newfound interest in Madonna's Kabbalah spiritual beliefs, for the breakdown of her own marriage.