Sports World: Benzema unlikely to feature at Euro 2016

Benzema unlikely to feature at Euro 2016

MADRID • Karim Benzema has made a mistake over the sex-tape case and cannot play for France at Euro 2016 until his name is cleared, France football coach Didier Deschamps said.

The troubled Real Madrid striker faces criminal charges after allegedly becoming embroiled in a sex-tape blackmail attempt against international team-mate Mathieu Valbuena.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


Jakupovic banned for life for corruption

LONDON • Greek tennis player Alexandros Jakupovic has been banned for life after being found guilty of five corruption charges, the Tennis Integrity Unit said.

The 34-year-old, who had a career-high world ranking of 464 in 2009 and played 29 Davis Cup ties, was charged with various offences, including "directly or indirectly contriving the outcome of an event".

REUTERS


Brady wins fan votes for 2016 Pro Bowl

NEW YORK • American football player Tom Brady accumulated plenty of new critics during the Deflategate probe but the New England Patriots quarter-back remains undeniably popular.

He has won the fan voting for the 2016 Pro Bowl, garnering 701,554 votes, narrowly edging out Carolina Panthers quarter-back Cam Newton, who got 701,086.

The Pro bowl will be played in Honolulu on Jan 31.

REUTERS


Sri Lanka probes bid to fix Test

COLOMBO • Sri Lankan authorities are investigating a bid to bribe members of the national cricket team to underperform in a recent Test to ensure a surprise victory for the West Indies.

Sports minister Dayasiri Jayasekera said a man linked to a bookmaker had offered wicket-keeper Kusal Perera and star bowler Rangana Herath tens of thousands of dollars to engineer a Sri Lankan batting collapse at a Test in Galle in October which the hosts went on to win emphatically.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on December 19, 2015, with the headline Sports World: Benzema unlikely to feature at Euro 2016. Subscribe