Madonna and Ritchie split denied

US pop star Madonna and her film director husband Guy Ritchie are not planning to divorce, according to the singer's spokeswoman.

Liz Rosenberg told the Reuters news agency the couple's marriage "does not need saving" and that Ritchie is with his wife and children in New York.

She also denied reports that Madonna is dating baseball star Alex Rodriguez.

The comments follow speculation that the couple's eight-year relationship is on the rocks.

It had been reported in the UK tabloid press that Madonna had taken on Sir Paul McCartney's divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton to represent her.

'They have met'

Last week the Daily Mirror newspaper dedicated two front pages to the plight of the couple's marriage, claiming Madonna would announce her divorce after her world tour later this year.

Rodriguez, 32, who plays for the New York Yankees, was reported to have made late-night visits to Madonna's New York apartment.

Ms Rosenberg said: "Madonna and Alex have the same manager, Guy Oseary.

"They have met. They know each other and Madonna took her kids to a Yankees game last week. There's really not anything to comment on beyond that."

Madonna, 49, and Ritchie, 39, married in December 2000 at Skibo Castle in Scotland.

They have two sons together, seven-year-old Rocco and David Banda, whose adoption from Malawi was approved in May.

The singer also has an 11-year-old daughter, Lourdes, from an earlier relationship.