Beiruting News

SHAKIRA and her  husband could be preparing for the release of a sex tape.

The couple are yet to comment on the report by a Spanish news outlet.

The superstar and the hunky Barcelona defender are reportedly being asked for a "large sum of money" by a former employee.

According to a report by Spanish news outlet Diario Vasco, the ex-worker is asking for the cash to not publish a recording of the pair "engaged in sexual acts".

A source close to the star told Mirror Celebs: "This is a very random report and completely untrue."

Shakira, 38, met Gerard, who is ten years her junior, when he appeared in her music video for the single Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), the official song for 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

The high-profile couple now have two sons, Milan, two, and Sasha, 11-months, who are often pictured watching their dad play football.

The Independent reports that the sex tape allegations have also been largely ignored by larger Spanish news outlets.

According to the Metro newspaper, if found guilty in Spain of blackmail and extortion cases of this type, the offender could expect up to FIVE years in jail.

Rep for Shakira and Gerard have declined to comment.