THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015 SPORTS Benzema pleads ‘misunderstanding’ in sextape blackmail case PARIS: Karim Benzema says his go-between role training camp on October 5. The former Lyon star in the Mathieu Valbuena sextape blackmail case says he had no need of money nor did one of the has been misunderstood as the Real Madrid strik- accused, Karim Zenati, as he was employed in one er prepares to explain himself on French TV yes- of Benzema’s companies. terday. The pre-recorded interview comes in the A police telephone tap however on Benzema wake of comments from French Prime Minister and his calls to Zenati cast doubts on their atti- Manuel Valls on Tuesday saying only players with tude. “I’m mad with myself for having talked that exemplary records should represent France at way on the phone, we went too far,” Benzema said Euro 2016. “It’s all a huge misunderstanding. All I of comments that appeared to mock Valbuena. was doing was trying to help. There’s nothing to The victim of the affair, Valbuena, in his first any of it, no blackmail or demands for money,” public comments told Le Monde last week he was Benzema told a judge in early November, accord- “very, very, very disappointed” by Benzema. ing to a Le Monde article published on Benzema’s lawyer Alain Jakubowicz told Wednesday. Wednesday’s le Parisien daily newspaper that the The scandal is a serious distraction to France player would use yesterday’s tv interview to apol- before they host Euro 2016 next year-Benzema ogise to Valbuena for those unfriendly remarks. has been banned from meeting Valbuena and The lawyer also used the Le Parisien to hit out neither was called up for France’s games against at the French prime minister’s comments over Germany and England recently. his clients potential exclusion from the France In sporting terms Benzema is seen as France’s squad asking : “Is this a prime minister’s words or top striker, but Les Blues have a wealth of other those of a Barcelona fan talking about a Real attacking options and a record of leaving trouble- Madrid player.” Valls hails from the Catalonia makers out of squads for international tourna- region and was in hot water himself in June for ments. The blackmail case began in June, when using a French government jet to fly himself and Valbuena lodged a complaint with police after his son to Berlin to the Champions League final being telephoned by a man who said he had the featuring Barcelona. sex tape. Four men, including a friend of Benzema, RIBEIRAO PRETO: In this June 10, 2014 file photo, France’s Mathieu Valbuena, left, and Karim Jakubowicz later told RTL radio he would Karim Zenati, have been charged and detained Benzema, right, chat during a training session of the french national soccer team, at the Santa Cruz sue Le Monde for contempt of court for having over the blackmail using the stolen sex-tape. Stadium in Ribeirao Preto, Brazil. Speaking publicly for the first time since becoming embroiled in a revealed details of Benzema’s testimony, Benzema is alleged to have approached blackmail scandal, Karim Benzema said yesterday he wants to play again for France and win the adding the revelations would aid the player’s Valbuena about the images at a France national 2016 European Championship with teammate Mathieu Valbuena. — AP defence. — AFP Global match-fixer suspect rearrested

SINGAPORE: Investigations are ongoing why he was rearrested). I don’t have any into a Singaporean man accused of leading new material.” The appeals court said in its the world’s largest football match-fixing ruling that while match-fixing was “repre- syndicate following his rearrest almost a hensible and should not be condoned”, week after being freed, the interior minister Tan’s alleged acts “all took place beyond our said yesterday. shores” and no evidence was presented to “Dan Tan has now been re-arrested and show that potential witnesses were being investigations are ongoing. A decision will intimidated. Former FIFA security chief Chris be made, one way or another, on what is to Eaton lauded Tan’s rearrest. A court trial be done with him,” Home Affairs Minister K. would be the best way to go, said Eaton, Shanmugam was quoted as saying by local now the Qatar-based executive director for media. He said that if a decision is made sport integrity at the International Center again to invoke a special law that allows for for Sport Security. Tan’s detention without trial, the govern- “In this way the realities of any case will ment will make sure that “it will set out the be open to global scrutiny and therefore grounds in full”. Tan, 51, was rearrested on helpful guidance on how to prevent match Tuesday, just six days after the Court of fixers ever hiding in plain sight in Singapore Appeal, the country’s highest court, ordered and other countries again,” he said. his release saying his prolonged detention Asked if Tan can be tried overseas, Eaton was “unlawful” because he did not pose a noted that Hungary and Italy have built danger to public safety in the city-state. criminal cases against him but said there The businessman was first arrested in could be complexities involved in the extra- September 2013 and held for more than dition process. “For now, the world is inter- two years without any charges under the ested in how his rearrest evolves within the special anti-gangster law. national investigation and public court sys- The ministry of home affairs had invoked tems (of Singapore),” he said. FIFA said the law against Tan after it became difficult through its spokesman last week that it was to find enough evidence and witnesses to “very disappointed” with Tan’s release “given file criminal charges. Tan’s release on the gravity of his past activities relating to November 25 sparked criticism from foot- match manipulation”. ball’s world governing body FIFA and other After Tan’s first arrest in 2013, the then- analysts who said it was a blow to efforts to Interpol chief Ronald Noble said the ANGERS: Angers’ Guinean midfielder Abdoul Camara (C) vies with Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Maxwell (R) during the renchF L1 rid the global sport of corruption. Singapore-based ring he allegedly led was football match between Angers (SCO) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), on Tuesday, at the Jean Bouin stadium, in Angers, western France. — AFP Police said Tan’s rearrest was “for investi- the world’s “largest and most aggressive gations into suspected involvement in crim- match-fixing syndicate, with tentacles inal activities” but did not give details. But reaching every continent”. PSG denied 10th straight Shanmugam denied that international pres- The home affairs ministry has said that sure played a role in Tan’s rearrest. Singapore law enforcement agencies began “We do what is right. We don’t arrest or investigating Tan in 2011 “when he was win in 0-0 draw with Angers release people based on international pres- repeatedly cited in Italian court papers for sure,” the Straits Times quoted him as saying. his involvement in transnational criminal activities in the form of match-fixing”. PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s nine-match winning With six games in a 19-day stretch leading up weaved his way in from the right side of the No evidence It described Tan as “the leader and finan- run in Ligue 1 was brought to a halt on Tuesday to the winter break, Blanc has made no secret of penalty area before seeing his curling left-footed Legal sources said that once police com- cier of a global criminal syndicate that con- as they were held to a 0-0 draw away to promot- his desire to rotate his squad. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, strike smack against the far post. Angers also pleted their investigations, the results will ducted match-fixing operations out of ed Angers. In other matches Lyon battled Nantes who drew level with Mustapha Dahleb’s club- struck the frame of the goal when a looping be referred to state prosecutors who will Singapore”. “Investigations indicated that to a goalless stalemate in Brittany while there record 85 top-flight goals over the weekend, header from Romain Saiss dropped onto the top decide on the next step, including pressing Tan had an extensive network of people were no goals between Lorient and Nice on a dropped to the bench while Serge Aurier made of the crossbar and bounced over, although PSG charges. Tan’s defence counsel Hamidul Haq under his control-many of whom were barren night for celebrations in France. his first league start since October in defence. keeper Kevin Trapp appeared to have it covered. told AFP yesterday: “I am still at the stage recruited in, and directed out of Singapore,” PSG, the reigning champions dropped points Blaise Matuidi also returned to the side after The hosts went even closer three minutes into where I am trying to get information (on the ministry said. — AFP for just the third time this season after being being used as a substitute in Saturday’s 4-1 win the second half when skipper Cheikh Ndoye rose unable to break down the division’s tightest over Troyes, while Adrien Rabiot again kept his to meet a corner, but Trapp made a fine stop defence behind that of their own at the Stade place in midfield after impressing in recent from point-blank range to thwart the Senegalese Jean Bouin. weeks. midfielder. Saiss again caused trouble from a set- The result left PSG on 42 points from 16 piece, this time at his own end, as he flicked a matches but still 14 points clear of nearest chal- Fine stop cross towards his own goal with Butelle doing lengers Caen, who visit Monaco on Wednesday, PSG were bidding to stretch their unbeaten well to turn it over. Ibrahimovic replaced Lucas with Angers one point further back in third. league run to 25 games and nearly grabbed a Moura on 71 minutes but PSG were still unable “I think everyone has seen it and we were fully fifth-minute lead when Edinson Cavani connect- to find a way past Butelle who clawed away aware of how this Angers team plays. It’s not easy ed with a corner, only for the Uruguayan’s glanc- Rabiot’s low strike late on that was destined for to play a team like that,” said PSG coach Laurent ing header to bounce back off the near post. the bottom corner to preserve a hard-earned Blanc. Aurier then forced Angers goalkeeper Ludovic point for Angers. Nice missed the chance to “The key to a match like this one is the first 15 Butelle, who had kept nine clean sheets in 15 leapfrog Angers into third when they were held to 20 minutes. As long as you don’t score the first appearances prior to Tuesday, into a sharp save to a 0-0 draw at mid-table Lorient. goal, Angers don’t waver from their principles. with a fierce angled drive. Lyon’s point at Nantes kept them in fourth “They’ve picked up 27 points like that, you have But the home side were again rescued by the position while the Canaries remain 10th after to commend them for it,” he added. woodwork on 33 minutes when Angel Di Maria their goalless draw. — AFP 2018 World Cup could ease global tensions

MOSCOW: The 2018 World Cup in Russia could of its obligations in full.” FIFA has approved 62 of representatives of Germany, Netherlands, serve as a catalyst for political reconciliation and the 64 training bases to be used by teams’ for England, Brazil, USA, Mexico and some other help ease global tensions, Russian sports minister accommodation and practice during the tourna- event favourites have already visited the training Vitaly Mutko said yesterday. ment, Mutko confirmed. He also revealed that bases this year and gave them a positive rating,” “Hopefully, it will become a kind of a conciliat- representatives of certain teams had already vis- the minister said. The 2018 World Cup will take ing event, which will show the world that Russia ited some of the bases first presented at the pre- place at 12 venues across Russia betwwen June is an open-hearted, democratic and hospitable liminary draw ceremony earlier this year. “The 14 - July 15 2018. — AFP LYON: Nantes’ Argentinian forward Emiliano Sala (L) vies with Lyon’s French midfield- country with a rich history and culture,” Mutko er Coretin Tolisso during the French L1 football match between Nantes and Lyon on told R-sport agency. Tuesday at the Beaujoire stadium in Nantes, western France. — AFP “It will be a great occasion not only for Russia but for the entire football world,” Mutko said. Relations between Russia and the West have Pep quitting Bayern to been tense since the annexation of Crimea in March last year and an ensuing conflict in help German league Ukraine that has claimed more than 8,000 lives. There is also bitterness amongst other 2018 BERLIN: Ex-Germany goalkeeper and current strongest the club has ever fielded, having candidates over allegations Russia was awarded TV pundit Jens Lehmann says it would be bet- picked up 40 out of a possible 42 points with the rights to host the World Cup after a deal with ter for the German league if Pep Guardiola 13 wins from 14 league matches plus a single FIFA was apparently agreed in advance. decides against extending his contract at draw. “The side which won the treble (in 2013) Russia’s cold war rivals Britain are angry with Bayern Munich. under Jupp Heynckes was already amazing, the 2018 World Cup going to Russia while the Under Guardiola, Bayern are currently but Pep has taken Bayern to the next level,” United States are also uncomfortable with the eight points clear in the German league table Lehmann told German daily Bild. 2022 World Cup going to Qatar. and have won the the Bundesliga for both of “They should set themselves the goal of Mutko also said Russia was fulfilling its com- his previous two seasons in charge by domi- being the first team to go through a German mitments towards FIFA deadlines on World Cup nating their rivals. Guardiola’s current contract league season unbeaten.” Lehmann said infrastructure perpetrations despite the econom- expires next June and Bayern bosses are hop- Guardiola signing an extension with Bayern ic crisis. “We’re doing our best to develop our ing to persuade the 44-year-old to sign an would be bad for the rest of the league. “It facilities and to urge the development of football extension during the winter break, which would be good for Bayern, because finding an in the country,” he said. “I don’t see any really out- starts on December 20, with a decision adequate successor would be tricky,” said standing problems. expected to be made before Christmas. Lehmann. “For the rest of the league it would “Despite the complicated economic situation KATERINI: France’s Amandine Henry (R) heads the ball to score during the women’s Euro 2017 quali- Bayern are again peerless in Germany and be better when he goes and perhaps it will we have managed to keep to our World Cup fying football match between Greece and France at the stadium of Katerini on Tuesday. — AFP Lehmann says the current team is the become a bit more exciting.” — AFP investment budget. It will help Russia to fulfil all