A French court rejected Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema's request to stop a trial over his alleged attempt to blackmail fellow French soccer international Mathieu Valbuena using a sex video, a judicial source said on Friday. The affair involved phone-recorded sex footage that could prove embarrassing for Valbuena, according to sources close to the inquiry. Benzema's name came up during phone taps in relation to the inquiry opened last July, police sources say.
A Sunderland fan is suing his own club after being knocked out by a stray shot while watching a training session.
Queens Park Rangers and Reading were left both still looking for their first Premier League wins of the season after playing out a 1-1 draw in an early-season relegation scrap at Loftus Road on Sunday.
French football star Karim Benzema has been arrested on Wednesday in connection with an inquiry into an alleged attempt to blackmail fellow-France international Mathieu Valbuena, a police source said.
Panathinaikos won the Greek title for the first time in six years by beating Iraklis 2-0 on Sunday.
China took it easy in this week's 2-0 friendly defeat to Portugal for fear of injuring Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and ruling him out of the World Cup, according to coach Gao Hongbo.
Bobby Zamora and Bjorn Helge Riise twice combined to set Fulham on their way to a 3-2 win at snowy Basel on Wednesday, sealing the London club's berth in the final 32 of the Europa League. Hertha Berlin, in last place in the Bundesliga, scraped through thanks to a 1-0 win at home to Group D winners Sporting and Panathinaikos of Greece secured second place in Group F when Djibril Cisse scored two in a 3-0 win over Dinamo Bucharest.
Captain Steven Gerrard scored four minutes into stoppage time to cap a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Middlesbrough in the Premier League on Saturday.
Bolton Wanderers illuminated a dull day in the Premier League on Saturday with a 4-1 victory at Sunderland that lifted them to seventh in the standings.
France needed a late goal from Thierry Henry to snatch a 3-2 win over Costa Roca in a friendly international.
Olympique Marseille striker Djibril Cisse said on Saturday he would be returning to action within three weeks following a long injury layoff.
Liverpool beat West Ham United 2-1 to keep alive their chance of finishing second in the English Premier League
French striker Djibril Cisse may leave Liverpool if coach Rafael Benitez continues to keep him on the bench
The Liverpool striker is set to miss the rest of the season after suffering a horrific leg break in the 2-2 draw against Blackburn Rovers.
Michael Owen scored the winning goal five minutes from time to give Liverpool a 2-1 victory in the Champions World Series.
The Real Madrid striker is accused of complicity in the alleged targeting of midfielder Mathieu Valbuena, who plays for the Greek Super League club Olympiacos. Prosecutors allege that Benzema encouraged Valbuena, 37, to pay the blackmailers.
French Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was placed under formal judicial investigation on Thursday in connection with an alleged attempt to blackmail fellow French soccer international Mathieu Valbuena using a sex video.
Pogba also said he is no longer bothered by criticism from soccer pundits because he has grown used to it.
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