体坛英语新闻：Barcelona president Rossell angry at 'false' Pique rumors

MADRID, March 13 (Xinhua) -- FC Barcelona president Sandro Rossell has rejected claims that coach Pep Guardiola has asked for central defender Gerard Pique to be sold as a condition for renewing his contract at the club.

With his current deal due to expire at the end of June, Guardiola still has to renew his contract with FC Barcelona and commit himself to a fifth season as Barcelona coach.

Guardiola has always agreed a one-year-deal, but in previous seasons he had always signed a new contract before the end of February and the delay has caused several rumors to spring up about his future.

The latest rumor involves central defender Gerard Pique, whose form has dropped off this campaign amid rumors that his private life and relationship with pop signer Shakira, have seen him distracted.

Madrid based television station TeleMadrid even went as far to broadcast a story this weekend insisting that Guardiola had stipulated that Pique's departure from the club was a condition in him renewing his contract.

Both Pique and Guardiola are seen as symbols of this Barcelona side which was won three league titles, the Copa del Rey, two Champions League, two European Supercups and two World Club Championships as well as the Spanish Supercuon on three occasions during Guardiola's reign and should the story be true it would cause a division among Barcelona supporters.

Rossell not only rejected the claims made by TeleMadrid, but also launched a strong attack on the television station.

"It is a story with no foundations and it is inappropriate that a public television station should do such a thing. It is false and I repeat that all decisions over signing and selling players are taken jointly by Pep Guardiola and (Director of Football) Andoni Zubizarreta," he said, before criticizing TeleMadrid further.

"It is a shame that in a period of economic crisis, public money should be given to means of communication which misinform the people and create false stories," added Rossell.