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KARIM BENZEMA TO FACE TRIAL ON ALLEGED SEX TAPE BLACKMAIL SCANDAL.

Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema will face trial for complicity in an attempt to blackmail in a case linked to a sex tape featuring his former France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena, French prosecutors said.

The public prosecutor’s office in Versailles, France said on Thursday the trial was ordered against the player for complicity in attempting to pressure Valbuena, who was allegedly threatened in a phone call in June 2015, with the publication of the video.

He will stand trial on the charge of conspiracy to attempt blackmail, the prosecutor’s office said. A date for the trial has yet to be set.

The 33-year-old Benzema, one of the most talented French forwards of his generation, has been banned from the national team since November 2015 because of his suspected involvement in the scandal, despite consistently performing well with Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The investigators who charged Benzema believe he was approached by a childhood friend that year to act as an intermediary and convince Valbuena to deal directly with the blackmailers. Instead, Valbuena informed the police.

Four other people will also stand trial in the case. Benzema denies any wrongdoing.

“This decision is as much absurd as it was predictable,” Benzema lawyer, Sylvain Cormier, told The Associated Press news agency, denouncing perceived “persecution” against the player.

When the story broke, Benzema faced a deluge of criticism and then-Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the former Lyon player had “no place” in the national team. Former French President Francois Hollande was quoted as saying in a book that Benzema was not an example of morality.

Neither Benzema nor Valbuena was selected by coach Didier Deschamps for the Euro 2016 finals on home soil in which France were beaten in the final by Portugal.

Benzema has not played for France since scoring twice in a 4-0 win over Armenia in October 2015, taking his tally to 27 goals in 81 internationals.

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AHEAD FA CUP TIE: ASTON VILLA CAMP LOCKED DOWN DUE TO RISING COVID-19 CASES.

Aston Villa were forced to close their training ground on Thursday after two rounds of testing returned multiple positive cases of coronavirus among players and staff.

“A large number of first team players and staff returned positive tests after being routinely tested on Monday and immediately went into isolation,” Villa said in a statement.

“A second round of testing was carried out immediately and produced more positive results today.”

The Premier League club’s FA Cup third round tie against Liverpool on Friday is now at risk of being postponed.

First team training ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup match with Liverpool was cancelled,” Villa’s statement added.

“Discussions are ongoing between medical representatives of the Club, the Football Association and the Premier League.”

Villa are the fourth Premier League club to suffer a COVID-19 outbreak in the last two months with growing concerns over whether the English top-flight can complete the season on schedule.

Three Premier League matches were postponed last week due to outbreaks at Manchester City and Fulham.

On Tuesday, a record high of 40 positive tests were detected among Premier League players and staff in the week between 28 December and 3 January.

Southampton’s FA Cup trip to Shrewsbury has already been postponed due to a number of positive cases at the League One club.

Wayne Rooney’s Derby will fulfil their fixture at Chorley with a youth team after nine positive tests among first-team players and staff.

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SAM ALLARDYCE BEGINS WESTBROM REVOLUTION WITH ROBERT SNODGRASS CAPTURE.

Robert Snodgrass is expected to be unveiled as a West Bromwich Albion player on Friday after boss Sam Allardyce confirmed that he was due at the club’s Walsall training ground for a medical.

Winger Snodgrass, of West Ham United, has been on the fringes of David Moyes’ squad this season and he has been granted a move in order to secure regular minutes elsewhere – that path has led him to The Hawthorns.

Snodgrass, 33, isn’t short on Premier League experience – something Albion as a collective have desperately lacked this season – and he knows plenty of players in the current dressing room.

He is expected to agree to an 18-month deal, provided there are no last minute hiccups. Depending on when the paperwork of his deal is ratified by the footballing authorities, he could travel to Blackpool for the FA Cup third round tie at Bloomfield Road this weekend.

That is at the medical stage,” Allardyce confirmed via Zoom on Thursday afternoon. “As long as the medical goes alright, by tomorrow [Friday] Robert Snodgrass will be a West Bromwich Albion player.

“I am absolutely delighted he has chosen to take up the challenge with us and that we will be adding some much needed Premier League experience and quality into the squad. I’m delighted he has said yes.”

It’ll be more than what Snodgrass can bring to the table in terms of his experience and quality that Albion are set to gain from their recruitment of the Scottish international.

It’s widely known that Snodgrass is a big personality, while remaining a dedicated professional. Those at Aston Villa speak highly of him still after his loan spell there, while he is revered by the likes of England international Declan Rice in the Irons squad.

He tells me recently he has played in central midfield in a left of a three as well as wide left and wide right,” Allardyce continued. “He is flexible in terms of the number of the positions he can play which I think is very important – and I’ve heard from many people he is exceptionally good in the dressing room which is a great bonus on top of his ability.”

As mentioned, Snodgrass is familiar with plenty of Albion names already; Sam Johnstone, Jake Livermore, Matty Phillips and Grady Diangana have all played with him previously, as has coach James Morrison.

Their recommendations and references made Allardyce’s mind up.

“Because of his character he became the first name on my list, and past relationships sometimes work in your favour,” Allardyce added. “David Sullivan, at West Ham, because of the years we spent together was a help in moving the situation on.

When all parties come together as they have done, with Robert committing himself to us as he has, I think it’s a fabulous signing. His character in the dressing room will be very important as will his experience and quality on the pitch.

I am really looking forward to him arriving and hopefully the players will see what quality he has got, and if he can help with the team spirit in the squad that’s going to be great.

“You can tell by his experience and where he has played. He has got great quality and a huge amount of experience, and he never gives up. Hopefully, that will run off on some of the other players. Hopefully, he will lift standards.”.

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SIMEONE PONDERS ATLETICO EXIT AFTER SHOCKING COPA DEL REY EXIT.

Diego Simeone hinted at the idea he could leave Atletico Madrid at the end of the season after their awful Copa del Rey defeat to third-tier Cornella.

Simeone’s La Liga leaders exited the Copa on Wednesday, losing 1-0 to a goal from former Atletico B defender Adrian Jimenez.

Ricard Sanchez was sent off as Atleti slumped to a shock reverse swiftly described by the Spanish media as a “disaster” among the very worst of Simeone’s 502 games in charge of the club.

The long-time coach named a strong side, including record signing Joao Felix, but saw his team remarkably unable to register a single shot on target.

Copa failings are a familiar story by now, though, with the Rojiblancos losing to Cultural Leonesa last season. Meanwhile, they have not beaten a fellow LaLiga outfit in the competition since seeing off Elche in January 2017.

Simeone recognised Atleti are struggling in one-off knockout matches – also losing in last season’s Champions League to RB Leipzig – but added the surprising qualifier that it would be an issue to consider only if he was still at the helm next year.

“[Cornella] played better,” he said. “In the whole game, what they wanted was always done better than what we wanted.

“They took advantage of the set-piece situations and immediately found the goal.

“The boys tried to compete in the best way. In the first half, we had more chances, and in the second, it was rockier. It got difficult after the red card.

“This competition has not given us satisfaction in recent years but solutions will have to be found if we are here next year.”

Saul Niguez, captain on the night, identified the same problem as he added: “We apologise to the fans. We never throw away competitions, but in these single-game editions we are not doing well.”

Given Atleti’s struggles, the decision to replace Joao Felix with 18-year-old debutant Mario Soriano 15 minutes from time prompted some discussion.

But the Portugal international mustered only one shot, which was blocked, prior to his withdrawal and failed to create a single chance – unlike his replacement.

Joao Felix epitomised the visitors’ display as he completed just 13 of his 21 attempted passes and lost possession 13 times, winning none of his three aerial duels.

The change still appeared a big call, yet Simeone explained his star forward was struggling with an ankle injury.

“He was hurt,” Simeone said. “We looked for a fresher guy. He had a bruised ankle and we wanted to find a guy in good condition.”

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ATLETICO MADRID DUMPED OUT OF COPA DEL REY BY THIRD DIVISION SIDE.

La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid were knocked out of the Copa del Rey after a shock 1-0 defeat away to third division side Cornella on Wednesday.

Adrian Jimenez met a free kick on the volley to score the only goal of the game in the seventh minute, while Atletico had right back Ricard Sanchez sent off midway through the second half after earning two bookings in the space of 12 minutes.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone rested some players for the second-round tie, played on an artificial pitch, but still fielded a strong side containing record signing Joao Felix plus fellow first-team regulars Renan Lodi, Jose Gimenez, Saul Niguez, Felipe and Angel Correa.

But he was forced to take Gimenez off in the 11th minute when the Uruguayan defender picked up an ankle injury, whilst Felix also hurt his ankle and was removed late in the second half.

Atletico, who have lifted the trophy 10 times, most recently in 2013, were also knocked out of last year’s competition by a third division side, going down 2-1 away to Cultural Leonesa after extra time.

They played their game and they were better than us. We have to say sorry to our fans, we never want to go out of any competition but in the last couple of years these one off games are not going well for us,” said Saul.

Atletico coach Simeone added: “We always want to win but today our opponents deserved to go through, just like last year. They competed well, they played the game they wanted to, they won the second balls, they kept up their intensity and we have to congratulate them as they overpowered us.”

Simeone also said cryptically that his side would try to make amends for their poor Cup performances “if we are still here next year”.

“Things change all the time in football, and you have to be open to all possibilities. I’m very happy here but you have to be open to whatever the club decides,” Simeone, who has a contract until 2022, added.

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MESSI’S DOUBLE HELP BARCA EDGE BILBAO 3-2 AS SPANISH GIANT RENEW HOPES FOR TITLE RACE

Ronald Koeman said Barcelona can still win La Liga after Lionel Messi scored twice on Wednesday in a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao. Messi’s double helped Barca reduce the gap behind La Liga’s leaders Atletico Madrid to seven points, even if Atletico will be hard to catch, given they also have two games in hand. Koeman admitted last week it would be “very difficult” to close the gap but was more optimistic after the victory at San Mames. “There is always a chance,” he said. “The season is very long and you can have ups and downs. It may be that one team that is doing very well will later find it difficult.”

Barca trailed to an early Inaki Williams strike but responded with a slick attacking performance that had Messi at the heart of it.

It was his cross that led to Pedri’s equaliser and then the Argentinian could have had a hat-trick, only for VAR and the woodwork to intervene.

But this was a vintage display from the 33-year-old, perhaps his best of the season so far, at a time when his future at Barcelona remains up in the air.

Only a late mistake took some of the shine off Messi’s night, a poor pass allowing Iker Muniain to finish and make the result look closer than it was.

Bilbao had scored in the third minute and the 90th, each time exposing Barcelona’s defensive frailties that remain unsolved.

Yet in between, Koeman’s team were able to dictate the match and demonstrate why going forward they are still a force to be reckoned with.

“The team is growing, playing with more confidence,” said Koeman. “Sometimes we look close to our best.”

Pedri was excellent again, his sumptuous backheel for Messi’s first goal another indication of the 18-year-old’s talent and his understanding with his captain.

Ousmane Dembele, meanwhile, enjoyed one of those virtuouso nights where his speed, invention and confidence made him look every bit like one of the world’s most exciting players.

Everything starts with the player himself,” said Koeman. “He gives us a lot.”

Bilbao were playing their first game under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral, who led Valencia to win the last completed Copa del Rey by beating Barca in the final.

He was springing off the bench and clenching his fists in the third minute after Williams raced in behind, touching inside the scrambling Clement Lenglet before driving home.

But Barcelona were invigorated.

Sergino Dest should have scored after a neat exchange between Messi and Antoine Griezmann before Pedri did, Messi’s looping cross to the back post cushioned back across for Pedri to nod in.

Dembele was almost unplayable, drifting inside one minute and darting forward the next but it was Pedri’s vision that created Barca’s second.

Messi sent him through, the youngster cutting inside before seeing Messi behind him.

Pedri backheeled, wrongfooting the Bilbao defence and goalkeeper, with Messi sliding in the finish.

Griezmann was denied after more good work by Dembele while Messi had a goal ruled out and then nicked the crossbar with a curling effort from distance.

Bilbao were still in it and might have equalised early in the second half, with the lively Williams and Raul Garcia both going close.

Yet their hopes were dashed just after the hour when Messi struck again. He sent the ball wide to Griezmann via Pedri and when the pass came to the near post Messi was there to stroke in off the crossbar.

Messi could have had his hat-trick but hit the post again when Dembele’s cross was dummied by Griezmann before a misplaced Messi pass allowed Muniain to pull one back for Bilbao. It was Messi’s first mistake of the night.

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WESTHAM’S HALLER NEARS €25M AJAX MOVE.

West Ham striker Sebastien Haller is close to sealing a move to the Eredivisie with Dutch giants Ajax.

Reports say the striker, 26, is the subject of ongoing negotiations between the two clubs.

The fee for his services is likely to reach around €25 million (£22.6m/$31m), with a meeting scheduled on Thursday to finalise the agreement between all the parties.

Haller is well-regarded in the Netherlands, having shined in the country during a previous spell in the Eredivisie.

From 2015 to 2017 the Ivory Coast international starred with Utrecht, having landed at the club after struggling to establish himself at Auxerre.

He netted a total of 51 goals in 98 games for Utrecht, form which earned him a transfer to the Bundesliga with Frankfurt.

And after two years in Germany, West Ham swooped in 2019 to make him part of their squad in a £45 million transfer.

Haller, however, has never Tully convinced in the Premier League, starting just 10 games in the current campaign.

A stunning overhead kick against Crystal Palace back in December was a rare moment of celebration for the forward, who expressed his hopes that the goal would help him build his confidence and remain in David Moyes’ plans.

“To be honest, I used to score a goal like that every season, so I’m used to it!” he explained to West Ham’s official website.

“I think it’s kind of special and I’m just happy because it was a beautiful goal and it helped us to get one point. I think we deserved three and we should have gone for the three, but I’m happy.

“I got two last season, against Watford and Bournemouth, so hopefully I can get another one on Monday at Chelsea – that’s the only thing I’d ask for, a goal like that! “It’s good for the eyes, for the confidence and for everything, but a goal is a goal so at the end it’s just one goal.”

Haller, who represented France throughout the youth divisions before opting to represent Ivory Coast at senior level, has played 54 games in all competitions for West Ham to date, scoring 14 goals.

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FRENCH LIGUE 1: PSG DRAW IN POCHETTINO’S FIRST GAME, LYON AND MARSEILLE WIN.

Mauricio Pochettino’s first game in charge of Paris Saint-Germain ended in a tame 1-1 draw at Saint-Etienne on Wednesday as leader Lyon moved three points clear by beating Lens 3-2 at home.

Lyon made it 15 games unbeaten with Memphis Depay scoring twice, but PSG still jumped up to second place on goal difference because Lille lost 2-1 at home to Angers.

“I am disappointed. We are PSG and we wanted to win,” said Pochettino, who replaced Thomas Tuchel after he was fired late last month. “This is not the result that we wanted.”

Pochettino’s tenure got off to a bad start when veteran winger Romain Hamouma put Saint-Etienne ahead in the 19th minute, after PSG midfielder Idrissa Gueye lost the ball near the penalty area.

It was the 100th league goal Hamouma has been involved in, with 57 goals and 43 assists.

Striker Moise Kean equalized soon after when he was teed up by midfielder Marco Verratti.

Kean then shot over the bar with 20 minutes left, just moments after Saint-Etienne striker Denis Bouanga headed against the woodwork.

Lyon totally dominated the first half against Lens and Depay made the breakthrough in the 39th, when he latched onto a defence-splitting pass from midfielder Lucas Paqueta and finished confidently.

It took Lyon less than one minute to double its lead following the break, when a cross from right back Leo Dubois led to a clumsy own goal from defender Steven Fortes.

Maxwell Cornet was then fouled in the box when put clean through by the impressive Paqueta, and Depay converted his sixth penalty of the campaign from a short run up in the 52nd.

Florian Sotoca pulled a fine goal back with a curler into the top right corner, and Cheick Doucoure ensured a nervy finish with a late second goal for Lens.

“Everyone thought it was going to be an easy win for us, but I was worried this would be a difficult game,” Lyon coach Rudi Garcia said. “But our unbeaten run continues and I congratulate the players for that.”

In northern France, Lille was 2-0 down after 11 minutes against Angers, with midfielder Romain Thomas grabbing both, before veteran Turkey striker Burak Yilmaz pulled one back in the 41st.

Marseille Wins

Marseille may now think twice about sending winger Nemanja Radonjic out on loan as planned.

He made the most of a rare start when he headed in Florian Thauvin’s cross close to halftime.

Montpellier is one of the league’s best away sides and midfielder Florent Mollet made it 1-1.

But Marseille’s substitutes made the difference as playmaker Dimitri Payet — surprisingly left on the bench — and Valere Germain netted in the last 10 minutes.

Although Marseille is in fifth place, it has played two games fewer than the top four sides.

Other Matches.

Aleksandr Golovin came off the bench and scored straight away as sixth-place Monaco won 5-2 at struggling Lorient.

The skilful Russia midfielder, who has been out since September with a thigh injury, struck midway through the second half with a fine curling shot from outside the penalty area following a corner.

Striker Ludovic Ajorque netted twice in Strasbourg’s 5-0 win against last-place Nimes.

Also, it was: Brest 2-0 Nice; Nantes 0-0 Rennes; Metz 0-0 Bordeaux; and Reims 0-0 Dijon.

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MANCITY BEAT MANCHESTER UNITED TO REACH CARABAO CUP FINAL.

Pep Guardiola dedicated Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Manchester United to reach a fourth consecutive League Cup final on Wednesday to the family of Colin Bell, a day after the City great died aged 74. John Stones and Fernandinho were the unlikely goalscorers for Guardiola’s men, who will face Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham in the final at Wembley on April 25.

Bell scored 152 goals in 492 appearances for City during a 13-year career in which he won five major trophies. City players warmed up in number eight shirts in honour of Bell’s old number.

A minute’s silence was held before kick-off with Bell’s former teammate Mike Summerbee reduced to tears as he watched on from the stands.

“That’s for him and his family. This person helps to build something for this club,” said Guardiola.

“It is an incredible victory for us to beat United away and reach another final and, especially today, it is for him.”

City now have the chance to equal Liverpool’s record between 1981 and 1984 of winning four successive League Cups.

“I know the Carabao (League) Cup is not the Champions League but four times a row is incredible,” added Guardiola. “I’m so impressed with the quality of this team.”

Mourinho was United boss the last time they lifted a trophy in 2017 and the Red Devils’ wait for silverware under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer goes on as they lost a fourth semi-final in the past two seasons.

“It’s not psychological, sometimes you meet good teams in the semis,” said Solskjaer, whose side also lost to City at this stage of the competition last season.

“We met the best team in England and for me we didn’t have enough today.

“But we’re getting closer. This is a much better Manchester United compared to a year ago in those semis, that’s positive but not enough.”

Both sides have hauled themselves back into contention for the Premier League title in recent weeks, but neither manager took the opportunity to rest key players as both made just two changes from the weekend.

Any fears of a repeat of the goalless draw between the sides last month in the league were quickly dispelled as both had goals ruled out inside the first five minutes.

Stones breathed a sigh of relief when his own goal was chalked off for offside by Marcus Rashford in the build-up before Ilkay Gundogan was also denied by the offside flag.

Zack Steffen was deputising for first-choice goalkeeper Ederson, who was one of City’s absentees due to a coronavirus outbreak, and the American produced an incredible save to deny Bruno Fernandes his 16th goal of the season with a curling effort that was destined for the top corner.

City looked more like their old selves in a thrilling first-half performance to blow away Chelsea on Sunday and they were inches away from the opener thanks to a stunning move that started deep inside their own half and ended with Kevin De Bruyne smashing against the post from the edge of the area.

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes into the second half when Stones cushioned in Foden’s free-kick with his thigh for his first goal in three years.

The England international’s poor form saw him fall down the pecking order in recent seasons, but City have now kept nine clean sheets in the 11 games Stones has started this season as he has formed a formidable partnership with Ruben Dias.

City’s issues this season have been at the other end and they again failed to make the most of their chances in the second half.

Joao Cancelo’s piledriver flew just over before Dean Henderson made fine saves to deny Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez.

However, Henderson could only watch as Fernandinho volleyed into the bottom corner after United failed to clear a corner for his first goal in two years, seven minutes from time.

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AC MILAN SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT AS CHIESA FIRES JUVENTUS TO THRILLING WIN.

Juventus inflicted a first Serie A defeat of the season on league leaders AC Milan as a Federico Chiesa double led the Italian champions to an exhilarating 3-1 win at San Siro on Wednesday.

Chiesa fired home a superb opener before makeshift midfielder Davide Calabria equalised for Milan at the end of an eventful, end-to-end first half.

But the visitors pulled away after the break as Chiesa curled in his second and substitute Weston McKennie swept in from close range to consign Milan to their first league defeat since March 8th, 2020, a run of 27 games lasting 304 days.

Stefano Pioli’s side remain top of the table on 37 points, one ahead of second-placed Inter Milan, who lost to Sampdoria earlier on Wednesday.

Juventus rise to fourth place on 30 points, but have a game in hand over the three teams above them.

Milan coach Pioli was forced to play right back Calabria in midfield after Rade Krunic and Ante Rebic were ruled out on matchday following positive Covid-19 tests, adding to an absentee list including Sandro Tonali, Ismael Bennacer, Alexis Saelemaekers and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Juventus had issues of their own, with Juan Cuadrado and Alex Sandro in isolation and Alvaro Morata injured, but the selection problems did not impact the quality of an action-packed opening period.

Chiesa blasted a powerful half-volley off the post before finding the breakthrough in the 18th minute, when a clever backheeled pass from Paulo Dybala sent the Italy international through on goal to finish.

Rafael Leao curled a shot narrowly wide and Chiesa had another effort saved before Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny’s diving save stopped an Aaron Ramsey clearance from flying into his own net.

Milan hit back four minutes before the break when Leao picked out Calabria in the box and he fired into the top corner.

The tempo dropped slightly in the second half and Juventus took control on 62 minutes when Chiesa curled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner. The winger was forced off after hurting himself in the process, but the strength of the Juve bench showed when two replacements combined for their third.

Dejan Kulusevski weaved into the box from the wing and laid off a pass to McKennie, who was left with a simple finish from six yards.