MUNICH, Germany -- Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone rejected accusations of bribery as he went on trial Thursday in a case that could threaten his grip on the sport, telling a Munich court that he was blackmailed by a German banker who received a disputed $44 million payment. [url=http://www.yeezybe

MUNICH, Germany -- Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone rejected accusations of bribery as he went on trial Thursday in a case that could threaten his grip on the sport, telling a Munich court that he was blackmailed by a German banker who received a disputed $44 million payment. Yeezy Boost 350 Korting . Ecclestone said at the beginning of a four-hour personal statement read out in German by his lawyers that he was "grateful" to be able to give his side of the story -- though he told judges that he would answer questions from the Munich state court through his lawyers, rather than personally. The 83-year-old Ecclestone is charged with bribery and incitement to breach of trust, and could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The charges involve a $44 million payment to banker Gerhard Gribkowsky, who is serving an 8 1/2-year sentence for taking the money. Ecclestone appeared in court in a dark three-piece suit and followed the proceedings closely with help from an interpreter whispering into his ear. Prosecutors allege the payment was meant to facilitate the sale of Munich-based bank Bayern LBs stake in Formula One to a buyer of Ecclestones liking. Gribkowsky was in charge of selling that 47 per cent stake in F1 in 2005. Ecclestone testified during Gribkowskys trial in 2011 and Gribkowsky is expected to be the main witness during Ecclestones trial, which is scheduled to last until Sept. 16. Gribkowsky was found guilty of corruption, tax evasion and breach of trust in a trial led by the same judge who is hearing Ecclestones case, Peter Noll. The defence made clear that it will attack Gribkowskys credibility, and Ecclestone said in his statement that the banker didnt tell the truth. In Thursdays statement, Ecclestone reiterated testimony he gave at Gribkowskys trial that he gave the banker the money because he was "blackmailed" and worried Gribkowsky would falsely accuse of him of being in charge of a trust fund set up for the Formula One bosss former wife and their children -- possibly incurring a huge British tax bill. Ecclestone said that "from todays point of view, it was not a rational decision" to pay Gribkowsky. "I saw my lifes work in danger" if Gribkowsky went to the British tax authorities, he said, adding that he wouldnt have been able to pay the resulting bill. Ecclestone said he had turned over his entire stake in Formula One to his then-wife, Slavica, and their two daughters in 1997 following a series of operations and a health scare that left him worried his wife would face a 40 per cent inheritance tax. He said he ran the day-to-day business of Formula One but hasnt owned any stake in the lucrative series since 1997. Ecclestones lawyers also insisted anew that their client is innocent, saying in a written statement that "the alleged bribe has not occurred." They argued that the indictment is based on statements by Gribkowsky that are "incorrect, misleading and incoherent" and said they would produce new documents at the trial to dispute Gribkowskys assertions. Ecclestone said he thought Gribkowsky wanted out of banking and had been interested in founding his own Formula One team. Ecclestone has stepped down temporarily as a director of F1s holding company pending the outcome of the trial, though he continues to manage the sports commercial operations on behalf of investment fund CVC Capital Partners, which has a controlling stake in the web of companies which run the commercial side of the sport. Ecclestone, who built his powerbase in F1 starting in the 1970s, likely would be unable to remain in charge if convicted -- even if he avoids a prison sentence. The trial will continue May 2. Stan Smith Belgie .500. The Jets have now won nine of their last 11, and five of their last six road games. With the win they moved to within two points of Vancouver in the west, the Canucks holding down the eighth spot. Vancouver lost in Boston, while the other big game saw Dallas win in Phoenix. Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Goedkoop . 22. Wade averaged 26.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.0 steals while leading the Heat to a 3-0 record. The 31-year-old shot 60 percent from the field and 50 percent from 3-point range en route to his 17th weekly honor. http://www.yeezybelgie.com/ . The 20-year-old Inoue landed a series of combinations and the bout was stopped 2 minutes, 54 seconds into the sixth round. Inoue, the first Japanese boxer to claim a world title in just his sixth professional fight, improved to 6-0 with five knockouts.CLEVELAND -- Brian Hoyer threw the game-clinching touchdown pass, turned and sprinted up the field as more than 70,000 fans roared. It was the same way he used to do it in his backyard as a boy, pretending to lead his beloved Browns to victory. On Sunday, he became a hometown hero for real. Hoyer, the local kid who grew up dreaming of one day being Clevelands quarterback, threw two touchdown passes in his first start at home to lead the revived Browns to a 17-6 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. Hoyer tossed a 1-yard TD pass to Chris Ogbonnaya with 4:54 left to give the Browns (2-2) an 11-point lead before Cleveland turned it over to its vastly improved defence to put the Bengals (2-2) away. Before the ball even dropped into Ogbonnayas hands, Hoyer took off running toward Clevelands helmet logo at the 50-yard-line with his index finger extended in the air. Once he neared mid-field, Hoyer stopped and pumped his fist in celebration as he did years ago after throwing a TD while playing with his brother and friends behind his familys home in North Olmsted, Ohio. "Its awesome," Hoyer. "Its cool to play in front of the hometown crowd in this stadium, where I grew up 15 minutes away from and obviously its a good day because the Tribe is winning, too." Not long after the Browns knocked off one of their division rivals, the Indians clinched a playoff spot for the first time since 2007. Suddenly, Clevelands beleaguered sports teams are winning. In his second start in place of injured Brandon Weeden, Hoyer finished 25 of 38 for 269 yards and no interceptions. He threw a 2-yard TD pass in the first half to tight end Jordan Cameron, who had 10 catches for 91 yards. But for the second week in a row, he came through in the clutch. Last week, Hoyer threw a 7-yard TD pass to Cameron with 51 seconds left as the Browns rallied to stun the Minnesota Vikings. "Certainly hes been the spark that I had hoped for and has led us to two games -- winning two games," said first-year coach Rob Chudzinski, who also spent his childhood pulling for the Browns. The Bengals (2-2) couldnt get anything going on offence and quarterback Andy Dalton was intercepted by Buster Skrine with 3:43 left, ending any chance of a Cincinnati comeback. Cleveland limited the Bengals to 63 yards rushing and cornerback Joe Haden contained wide receiver A.J. Green. "We didnt make enough plays," said Dalton, who finished 23 of 42 for 206 yards. "I didnt play well enough. I expect better out of the offence. To not score a touchdown, weve got too good of players and too good of a team not to do that. We have all the ability in the world on this team and we didnt get it done." Hoyer began the season as Clevelands No. 3 quarterback. But after Weeden sprained his right thumb, Chudzinski tabbed Hoyer as his starteer. Ultra Boost Korting. Last week, Hoyer threw three touchdowns and three picks in the win at Minnesota. And although Weeden began throwing this week, hes not well enough to play. Now, he could be relegated to watching Hoyer for the rest of the season. Chudzinski would not commit to Hoyer starting on Thursday against Buffalo, but it would be stunning for there to be any other choice. "Im still going to go through the same process," Chudzinski said. "Were going to go in and evaluate the tape. I thought he (Hoyer) did a great job, particularly managing some of the things early. I think guys settled in, he settled in, made some great decisions and throws and made big plays." Clinging to a 10-6 lead, Hoyer drove the Browns 91 yards in 12 plays for the clinching score. Hoyer showed gorgeous touch on a 31-yard pass to Cameron to put the Browns at the Cincinnati 24. Willis McGahee, who promised a "dramatic" improvement in Clevelands running game this week, carried three times to the 1 and Hoyer took it from there, throwing his TD to Ogbonnaya. Even before Ogbonnaya crossed the goal line, Hoyer was overcome with emotion. "I was just telling Obie, by the time you caught it, I was at the 40," Hoyer said, smiling. "Its just good because you know youre capping off that long drive with a touchdown and thats what you need to win games." The Bengals were out of rhythm from the start on both sides of the ball. Cincinnati was missing two starters in its secondary -- cornerback Leon Hall and safety Reggie Nelson -- because of injury and the Bengals offence sputtered for all 60 minutes. Mike Nugents two field goals were all the Bengals could muster against Clevelands swarming defence. Green had seven catches for 51 mostly meaningless yards as Haden blanketed him all afternoon. It was a discouraging loss for the Bengals, who overcame four turnovers last week to beat Green Bay and wasted a chance to take early control in the AFC North. "It wasnt lack of effort," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "Today we didnt play well enough to win. Its part of what weve got to do. Weve got to keep growing and win." NOTES: Hoyer is the first Browns quarterback to win his first two starts since Mark Rypien in 1994. ... Pro Bowl LT Joe Thomas made his 100th straight start, extending his consecutive snaps streak to 6,125, the NFLs longest active streak. Thomas has not missed an offensive play since he was drafted third overall in 2007. ... Browns K Billy Cundiff made a 51-yarder after missing from 37 and 49. He missed most of the week with a quadriceps injury. ... Camerons 30 receptions through four games are the most for a tight end in Browns history. ... Browns rookie LB Barkevious Mingo started in place of injured Jabaal Sheard and recorded his third sack in three games. ' ' '