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. Cheap Nike Shoes Store . - Titans quarterback Jake Locker will miss the rest of the season with a Lisfranc injury to his right foot, leaving Tennessee trying to rally with Ryan Fitzpatrick. 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Omar Infante homered and tied a career high with six RBIs to carry the Kansas City Royals over the Baltimore Orioles 9-3 on Sunday.TORONTO - The war over words over artificial turf at the Womens World Cup has become bogged down in semantics ahead of Saturdays draw in Ottawa.And that is frustrating the legal team representing a rebel faction of players as it tries to chip away at the monolithic world governing body of soccer.While a legal challenge snakes it way through the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, lawyers for the players have gone down a number of avenues to keep their storyline front and centre.Jerome Valcke, FIFAs secretary-general, seemingly opened up a new path in an Oct. 29 fifa.com article when he said: We will again welcome open dialogue at the official draw on Dec. 6 in Ottawa.But with no players expected to be present at the draw other than Canadian captain Christine Sinclair, it appears that dialogue looks to be very limited.Most players outside North America are in season with their clubs while the U.S., China and Brazil are in Brazil for a tournament. And Sinclair, like the other Canadian players who answer to the host Canadian Soccer Association, has been deliberately kept out of the fray.Hampton Dellinger, the lead lawyer for the women, jumped on Valckes open dialogue comment and invited the FIFA executive to participate in a conference call around the draft with American Abby Wambach, Germanys Nadine Angerer, Spains Veronica Boquete, and Brazils Marta.Valcke declined the offer, telling Dellinger he was unable to meet during the time requested. But he said team representatives and FIFA officials would meet at the draw.FIFA welcomes continued dialogue with players through the competent bodies within FIFA, including the Committee for Womens Football and the FIFA Womens World Cup, wherein female players interests are duly represented, he said in his response.Valcke will be at the draw and, according to the Oct. 29 article, is willing to talk — thought it seems on his terms.Dialogue with the participating teams and, naturally, the players is very important to us and we keep open channels of communication with all parties before, during and after the event ... I, personally, will attend (the draw) alongside our pitch expert and medical teams, and I am sure that in this way we will be able to address all concerns and doubts so that all of the participating teams can focus on their preparation for the biggest event in women’s football, he was quoted in the Oct. 29 article.A FIFA spokesperson reiterated that via emmail.ddddddddddddThe FIFA general-secretary is already in contact with players and members associations and will meet with all the team representatives present during his stay on the occasion of the official draw.Valckes rejection drew an immediate, incendiary response from Dellinger.Mr. Valcke, please stop the spin doctoring and shoot the players (and the press and public) straight: will you or will you not speak DIRECTLY with Nadine Angerer, Abby Wambach, and other protesting players about their concerns and doubts regarding the tournament? wrote Dellinger.Awaiting your response are the 2013 World Player of the Year (Angerer), the 2012 World Player of the Year (Wambach), the 2006-10 World Player of the Year (Marta), Australias Samantha Kerr, Spains Veronica Boquete, and the rest of the now 80-member-plus player coalition.Together, they feel the actions of FIFA and CSA (Canadian Soccer Association) are wrong and unlawful. But they also believe, as do I, that there is time to make all aspects of the upcoming Womens World Cup truly world-class.The womens legal complaint argues that playing their showcase tournament on artificial turf is tantamount to discrimination because the men play their World Cup on grass.In recent weeks, lawyers for the women have also pointed the finger at tournament prize money and the use of goal-line technology as differences between the mens and womens events in a bid to bolster their different gender, different treatment argument.While lawyers for the women have been active on legal offence, FIFA has offered a minimal defence — usually via its website.FIFA argues that playing on turf is within the laws of the game, provided it meets set standards, and that artificial turf makes sense for the Canadian climate. And Valcke has said a mens World Cup on artificial turf could come sooner rather than later.FIFA says there is no decision yet on the use of goal-line technology at the Canadian event. Prize money for the 2015 tournament is expected to be announced some time after the FIFA Executive Committee meeting in mid-December.The 32-team mens tournament in Brazil this summer featured total prize money of US$476 million. The total purse of the 16-country womens tournament in 2011 was $7.6 million.The 2015 Womens World Cup, which features 24 teams, runs June 6 to July 5 in Moncton, Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver.Follow @NeilMDavidson on Twitter Authentic Nike Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike Tennessee Titans Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike Washington Redskins Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike Arizona Cardinals Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike Denver Broncos Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike Green Bay Packers Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike Los Angeles Chargers Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike New England Patriots Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike Oakland Raiders Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike Seattle Seahawks Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike Carolina Panthers Jerseys CheapAuthentic Nike Cleveland Browns Jerseys CheapCheap Throwback Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks JerseysCheap Throwback Baseball Atlanta Braves JerseysCheap Throwback Baseball Baltimore Orioles JerseysCheap Throwback Baseball Boston Red Sox JerseysCheap Throwback Baseball Chicago Cubs JerseysCheap Throwback Baseball Chicago White Sox JerseysCheap Throwback Baseball Cincinnati Reds JerseysCheap Throwback Baseball Cleveland Indians Jerseys ' ' '