Pop superstar Shakira was the target of some classless and misogynistic messages ahead of her partner Gerard Piqué and his Barcelona team’s match against Les Parisiens Wednesday night (March 10).
Fans of the Paris-based football club rolled into public view this past weekend with flares and banners that had a specific message aimed at the Colombian singer. One of the signs read: “Shakira a La Jonquera.” La Jonquera is a municipality near the border of France and Spain that has a reputation for the sex work that occurs there.
The sexist prop Les Parisiens paraded around this weekend is not something new the GRAMMY-winning artist has endured over the years. Fans of other football teams have been equally offensive.
Shakira and Piqué met in 2010 when he was featured in the music video for her song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa).” It was the official song for the FIFA World Cup that year. They have two sons, 8-year-old Milan and 6-year-old Sasha.
#RespectShakira began trending when photos of banners hit online. Some wondered why the football culture has been allowed to get away with such behavior for so long.
Some turned the tables on Parisiens fans themselves, reminding them that their team isn’t very good anyway.
Others just pointed out the philanthropic work she has done as the founder of her Colombian charity Barefoot Foundation (Pies Descalzos Foundation).
Shakira appreciation posts are always welcome.