Bernie Ecclestone's high-profile trial on bribery charges has begun in Munich. Ecclestone is accused of paying a bribe to German banker Gerhard Gribkowsky back in 2006 when Bayern LB sold their 47% stake in the sport to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners Gribkowsky, who worked as chief risk seller for Bayern LB, was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison in 2012. Prosecutors allege that the bribe aided the sale to CVC, which was Ecclestone's favoured choice. Ecclestone does not deny that he paid the money to Gribkowsky but insists that he was blackmailed into doing so. 'The alleged bribery never happened', read a statement from Ecclestone's lawyers. 'The prosecution's claims...
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