MADONNA - LAWYER: 'MADONNA HAD AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART WITH RODRIGUEZ'

MADONNA had an "affair of the heart" with baseball star ALEX RODRIGUEZ, according to a divorce lawyer hired by the baseball player's ex-wife.
Following mounting speculation of a marriage split, Cynthia Rodriguez filed for divorce on Monday (07Jul08), citing abandonment and infidelity.
Madonna isn't named in the divorce papers, but Cynthia Rodriguez's lawyer claims her husband had a "relationship" with the married pop superstar.
Attorney Earle Lilly tells People.com, "The correct analysis is a relationship. Some people categorise an affair as something as sexual infidelity. We're not claming that. It's an affair of the heart.
"Madonna's name is not even mentioned in the papers. We don't want the public to think this is an aggressive action against Madonna."
Earlier on Monday, Madonna denied having an affair with Rodriguez - nicknamed A-Rod - stating, "I have nothing to do with the state of his marriage."
But friends insist the baseball star's new interest in Kabbalah - the mystical religion Madonna follows - has led to the Rodriguezes' marriage crisis.
Madonna, who shares a manager with the New York Yankees star, reportedly introduced the sportsman to Kabbalah.