Unser Chat » icant stake in F1, and paid

LONDON -- Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone on Wednesday disputed paying a bribe to ensure he stayed in control of the glamorous motorsport series, and then fabricating the reason to pay a banker. Under cross-examination at the High Court in London, Ecclestone said he was blackmailed by the banker tasked with selling a significant stake in F1, and paid him off to avoid being reported to the authorities over his tax affairs. "I made up my mind he needed to be kept quiet," Ecclestone said after claiming he was "shaken down" by BayernLBs Gerhard Gribkowsky. Former F1 shareholder Constantin Medien contests that Ecclestone and his family trust entered into a "corrupt bargain" with Gribkowsky to ensure BayernLBs 47 per cent F1 stake was sold in 2005 to the buyer desired by the sports long-standing commercial chief. Gribkowsky received an alleged bribe totalling US$44 million which led to investment group CVC Capital Partners acquiring the stake. Constantin Medien, a German media company, is suing Ecclestone and other defendants for up to $144 million, claiming F1 was undervalued by the BayernLB deal. Ecclestone maintained Wednesday that at the time of the deal -- and now -- he was not trying to safeguard his own future in F1, insisting he doesnt "want to die as CEO" of F1. "As long as I have got control of the company I will continue to be there ... I am in a fortunate position -- I dont need a job," Ecclestone said. Asked by Constantin Medien lawyer Philip Marshall about the prospect of retirement, the 83-year-old Ecclestone replied: "I dont mind, Ive got plenty of things to do." In a case that could threaten Ecclestones future with F1, a German court is deciding whether he will stand trial on charges of bribery and incitement to breach of trust. Ecclestones legal team maintains that a "consultancy package" was paid to Gribkowsky, who was jailed in Germany last year for 8 1/2 years for taking the payment. In the High Court, Ecclestone was asked why he responded to the apparent blackmail threat by seeking the advice of an in-house accountant rather than lawyers, and did not approach the police. "It doesnt make any sense," Marshall said. "You are in a situation where you are being asked to pay millions of dollars over a threat or an insinuation that may cause you tax problems. You dont ask any of the lawyers ... thats just something (a reason) you fabricated. You have made it up." Ecclestone, appearing for the first time in person in the second week of the civil trial, spoke quietly at times and regularly banged the desk as he grew increasingly frustrated with questioning. Ecclestone said he was happy to pay Gribkowsky $22.5 million himself to avoid any potential tax investigation, and saw little point in contacting the police. "I wanted to get rid of (Gribkowsky) making silly statements," Ecclestone said. Ecclestone built his powerbase in F1 from the 1970s and helped to create the Formula One Constructors Association that controlled the business side of the series, including selling the TV rights. The British-based company later became known as Formula One Management. CVC, having amassed a 63 per cent stake of F1, has reduced its holding as other investors have come on board in recent years, although a planned flotation has stalled. Constantin Medien is claiming it lost out due to the deal negotiated by Gribkowsky. Gribkowsky is a defendant in the case along with Ecclestones lawyer, Stephen Mullens, and the Ecclestone family trust, Bambino Holdings. Stitched Los Angeles Rams Jerseys . The move is retroactive to Aug. 1. Hosmer was originally hit on the hand in the first inning of a July 20 loss to Boston. He has played most of the time since, but missed a few contests due to the injury, then departed Thursdays win over the Twins and had tests that revealed the fracture. Los Angeles Rams Jerseys Outlet . Altidore strained his left hamstring in the Americans opener against Ghana on June 16 and didnt play in their next two games. "We dont know how much because we need to see how hes going, but hes available," U. http://www.ramscheap.com/ . But qualifying for her first Scotties Tournament of Hearts after years of falling short in tough Manitoba provincial championships is as good as consolation prizes get for the 29-year-old from Winnipegs Fort Rouge Curling Club. Wholesale Los Angeles Rams Jerseys .com) - Coming off a pair of tough losses last week, the Syracuse Orange will try to put an end to their first losing skid of the season when they pay a visit to the Maryland Terrapins at the Comcast Center on Monday night in Atlantic Coast Conference action. Cheap Los Angeles Rams Gear .com) - Hassan Whiteside scored 20 points with nine rebounds in the Miami Heats 83-75 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday.JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars want and need to see more of quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Coach Gus Bradley named Gabbert the starter Thursday, two days before the Jaguars face the New York Jets in their second preseason game. Gabbert played the first four series in the teams exhibition opener against Miami, completing 5 of 10 passes for 19 yards. He had two passes dropped and another one go off a fullbacks hands for an interception. "We feel like he needs the reps right now considering he missed six games last year at the end," Bradley said, referring to the forearm injury that ended Gabberts 2012 season. "He got 17 snaps in the opener, and we just felt like wed like to increase it this week and get a better chance to evaluate where hes at." Chad Henne, whos competing with Gabbert for the starting job, also will see playing time with the first-team offence. Henne got some work with the starters against the Dolphins, completing 8 of 11 passes for 87 yards. Both quarterbacks should benefit from the return of three starters. The Jaguars will have centre Brad Meester, running back Maurice Jones-Drew and receiver Justin Blackmon back on the field against the Jets. "Its going to be a big difference having those guys back," Gabbert said. "Theyre anxious and ready to play. ... It will be the old crew back there playing ball." The Jaguars will, however, be without receiver Cecil Shorts III (calf) and rookie right tackle Luke Joeckel (hip). Bradley has rotated both quarterbacks throughout training camp, giving Gabbert and Henne plenty of work with the starters while trying to figure out who will win the job. Many believe it will be Gabbert, whos younger, more mobile and coming off consecutive seasons in which Jacksonville had issues around him. Gabbert had no off-season as a rookie because of the NFL lockout, was thrown into thee starting lineup in Week 3 and played with one of the worst receiving corps in the league.dddddddddddd. He was expected to show significant improvement last year, but he played behind a patchwork offensive line and with two young receivers in Shorts and Blackmon. Jacksonville also lost Jones-Drew to a season-ending foot injury in October. So Bradley and new general manager Dave Caldwell believe its difficult to truly evaluate Gabberts viability as an NFL starter. "I know that conventional wisdom tells us that, Hey, we start one and the other one starts," Bradley said. "But theres a lot of things that we do that arent conventional. I know maybe some of you felt that way. But to us it made sense in our evaluation process. "We just looked at the whole thing and said, OK, he had 17 reps, didnt play the last six games of the season and we just need to get more looks at him. Knowing our situation, we just took that approach. This isnt any determining factor. Were just still figuring the whole thing out." Gabbert was the 10th overall pick in the 2011 draft. The former Missouri standout has completed 54 per cent of his passes for 3,876 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, in two seasons. He is 5-19 as a starter. "Im just looking at it as another opportunity to go out there and prove to the coaches and prove to the guys on the team that Im the right guy for the position," Gabbert said. "But its also another opportunity to learn our offence, another chance to go against a different defence and perfect the things weve been working on all week." Henne handled the news well, saying he understands Bradleys plan. "Weve been splitting the reps in practice again," Henne said. "Nothings really changed. And for me, its just take full advantage of what I have and show them what I can do on the field." 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