Karim Benzema has caused a storm ahead of Euro 2016 by claiming that his exclusion from the France squad was racially motivated. Under investigation over an alleged sex-tape blackmail case, Benzema told Spanish daily Marca that France coach Didier Deschamps had bowed to pressure from a racist French party in his selection process. His comments, however, have been met with indignation with politicians speaking out against the Real Madrid strikers accusations.French Sports Minister Patrick Kanner sympathised with Benzemas predicament, but rejected any attack on Deschamps just nine days ahead of the start of Euro 2016 in France.I can understand Mr Benzemas disappointment but under no circumstances are his statements acceptable regarding what he said about Mr Deschamps sporting decisions nor his personality, Kanner said.I call for calm, I would like us to concentrate on the competition and would ask everyone to get behind Les Bleus which is what the 23 squad members will be expecting of us. So lets stop this non-debate.Francois Fillon, who was Prime Minister for five years between 2007-2012 and who is hoping to run in the next presidential election, rejected Benzemas position out of hand. I cant stand for that, he said. Forever bringing the nations problems down to questions of race, religion and ethnic communities, its unhealthy. Didier Deschamps did not select Benzema for Frances Euro 2016 squad Benzemas remarks have re-ignited Frances racial tensions, and found some sympathy with Socialist Party parliamentarian Benoit Hamon.He told Frances Europe 1 radio station that Benzema was right to say we are in a country where racism is on the rise. But he insisted there was no evidence of Deschamps being a racist.Benzema was suspended from international duty in December over a legal investigation into an alleged attempt by one of his friends to blackmail France international Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.He faces up to five years in jail over accusations he encouraged Valbuena to pay the blackmailers. Benzema has denied all the blackmail accusations. Also See: Fans expect from Payet free-kicks Schneiderlin makes France squad Kante happy at Leicester Milner better than Bale and Pogba Cheap Shirts For Sale .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. NFL Shirts Outlet ., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., took sixth spot on Saturday in pairs at the NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix figure skating competition. http://www.cheapshirtsfromchina.com/ . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Cheap Authentic Shirts . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Cheap Nike Shirts .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. WASHINGTON -- Philadelphia pitcher Alec Asher, 24, had a 9.31 ERA last season and served an 80-game suspension this year after a drug suspension.But despite those challenges, the Phillies, who are out of the playoff race, would like to see what the young right-hander can do so he will start on Thursday in Washington against the Nationals.Asher got his butt handed to him last year, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin told philly.com last month. He goes down to Triple-A; he never threw the two-seam fastball. He started throwing it. Every report Ive gotten was that its nasty. He actually had success with it.So thats why it was disappointing what happened to him happened because it seemed to be a game-changer for him. We never got to see it. Thats why Id like to see it, added Mackanin, who was drafted by the Washington Senators in 1968.Asher served an 80-game drug suspension that ended Sept. 4. He was allowed to pitch in the Gulf Coast League last month for a Phillies farm team.Last year, Asher had a 9.31 ERA -- the highest mark ever in a season for a Philadelphia pitcher who made at least seven starts.Asher, who is from Lakeland, Fla., has a very small track record against Washington hitters.Daniel Murphy, who seems to hit everyone, is 1-for-1 with a homer and three RBI against Asher and backup catcher Jose Lobaton is also 1-for-1 against Asher. Murphy had three hits on Wednesday for the second day in a row.Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon are 1-for-3 against Asher and Clint Robinson is 1-for-2.Asher was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the fourth round of the 2012 draft and traded to the Phillies in July 2015.He was 0-6 with a 9.31 ERA in seven starts last season as he made his major league debut.Washington will also throw a young right-hander from Florida on Thursday, as A.J. Cole is scheduled to make the start.Cole, also 24, made his big league debut in three games, with one start, last year with the Nationals and was 0-0 with a 5.79 ERA.A fourth-round pick in 2010 by the Natiionals, he spent most of this year at Triple-A Syracuse of the International League.ddddddddddddCole is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA in three starts for Washington this year and has seemed much more poised on the big league mound this year.The Nationals rotation appeared to get a lift Wednesday as right-hander Stephen Strasburg came off the 15-day disabled list.We dont really know what his endurance level is, manager Dusty Baker said before the game. Nobody knows better than the pitcher. I know he is a competitor.But then Strasburg was removed from the game in the top of the third after throwing just 42 pitches.Strasburg was not available to the media after the game and he is slated to have an MRI on Thursday, according to Baker.He felt a pinch in the back of his elbow. That was a long walk, Baker said of his trip to the mound in the top of the third to take him out. So I am hoping he is OK. We will find out more tomorrow. He is frustrated and upset. I told you guys earlier ... he said he felt fine (before the game). You dont know until you get into action.Strasburg was a Tommy John surgery patient and so was Lucas Giolito, a rookie right-hander. Baker doesnt think the Wednesday injury is the same area of his elbow that put him on the disabled list last month.I am just hoping Stras is OK, said Giolito, who gave up two runs in 3 1/3 innings as the second reliever to follow Strasburg. It is definitely not the best thing to look at. It is definitely a tough thing.Washington also activated infielder Stephen Drew off the 15-day disabled list after he suffered from vertigo. He came off the bench on Wednesday and was 1-for-1 with a walk.We are glad to have him back. We are not sure what capacity we are going to use him, Baker said. That is a dangerous game out there that we play. Hitting is probably the easiest part right now. Fortunately, we do have enough players. ' ' '