The Sport Matrix: Friday 6 June 2014

Bernie’s £24.7m offer to avoid court

Exclusive: Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone says he offered to pay £24.7m in an effort to avoid being charged with bribery in the trial under way in Germany. He is accused of giving a bribe to a banker, to steer Formula One to his preferred buyer when it was sold.

Murray set to dig deep against Nadal

Andy Murray says he will “give it everything I’ve got” against Rafael Nadal today, as he bids to reach the French Open final. He said: “I believe 100 per cent I can beat Rafa and Novak [Djokovic], but on this surface it’s harder for me than other courts because it’s not my best surface.” MORE

Rooney dismisses Scholes’ criticism

Wayne Rooney has hit back at Paul Scholes for his suggestion that the England striker is past his best. “He [Scholes] has been a team-mate but he’s been away from the first team for a long time,” said Rooney. “I’m not really going to react. I’m not interested.” MORE

Ox only sidelined for two weeks

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has not yet been ruled out of taking part in the World Cup, with the knee injury he sustained against Ecuador likely to mean he misses the next two weeks. He had a scan which showed a strain of his medial ligaments rather than a tear. MORE

Uncapped trio in ‘fresh’ Test squad

England have named three uncapped players – opener Sam Robson, bowler Chris Jordan and Moeen Ali – in the squad for the first Test against Sri Lanka. Chairman of selectors James Whitaker said he is excited by the squad’s “fresh feel”. MORE

‘Proud’ Sharapova battles into final

Maria Sharapova battled past Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 to reach her third straight French Open final, where she faces Simona Halep. “I’m very proud, because I worked hard to get myself injury-free,” said the Russian. MORE

Froome identifies Wiggins’ weakness

Chris Froome, the Tour de France champion, claimed he saw signs of mental weakness in Sir Bradley Wiggins’ race to victory in the 2012 Tour. Froome said: “I felt it was more a mental thing that he switched off when he saw me going.”

Gemili finishes third in Rome dash

Britain’s Adam Gemili came third in the 100m at the Diamond League meeting in Rome, the 20-year-old recording a season’s best time of 10.07sec. The race was won by Justin Gatlin (9.91sec), with Nesta Carter (10.02) second.

David Haye

“The Hayemaker” admits to Ian Stafford that he has messed up and let people down. But the 33-year-old has one burning ambition – to become world heavyweight champion again.