SportsCatch

Liverpool eye internal candidates to replace Hughes as Gakpo handed new role under Iraola

Liverpool have begun searching for a new sporting director after Richard Hughes stepped down, with technical director Julian Ward among the internal candidates. Cody Gakpo is also set for a fresh role under Andoni Iraola following Alexander Isak's £125m arrival.

Football Sep 7

Genesio slams Marseille players after second straight defeat

Beaten at home by Paris FC (2-3) from the 23rd second of play, Marseille suffered a second consecutive loss. Bruno Genesio highlighted gross defensive errors and alarming lack of maturity after just three matchdays.

Football Sep 7

Mikel tips Manchester United to win £80m Adam Wharton race as Alaba move ruled out

Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Manchester United will sign Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton next summer, while a move for free agent David Alaba has been ruled out by the club.

Football Sep 7

Doping at Juventus: the accusations that have followed Zidane for twenty years

Twenty years after his retirement, Zinedine Zidane remains confronted with doping suspicions linked to his time at Juventus Turin. Between admissions of intravenous infusions before Italian courts and a suspicious testosterone test in 1997, shadows persist.

Football Sep 7

Convicted of rape and torture, former PSG defender Godwin Okpara released from prison after six years

Sentenced to ten years in prison for rape of his adoptive daughter, former Nigerian PSG defender Godwin Okpara was granted early release before being deported from France. Back in Nigeria, he was prosecuted again in 2017 for domestic violence.

Football Sep 7

Walker warns Almeida walked into a trap facing 130kg Goncharov in Russia

UFC heavyweight Valter Walker, who trains alongside Evgeniy Goncharov, says Jailton Almeida is heading into a carefully laid trap at ACA 207 on September 12 in Krasnodar. Walker doubts Almeida can execute his trademark takedowns against the 286-pound former ACA champion.

MMA Sep 7

Ndiaye reveals he snubbed Tottenham for City to chase Champions League glory

Iliman Ndiaye has explained why he chose Manchester City over Tottenham in a chaotic deadline-day transfer, saying the chance to play Champions League football at one of the world's best clubs was always his priority.

Football Sep 7

Debutant Andrusca stuns favourite Wood by unanimous decision at UFC Paris

Pavel Andrusca, a late replacement making his UFC debut on five days' notice, handed Nathaniel Wood a unanimous decision defeat at UFC Paris on 5 September, ending the Englishman's four-fight winning streak. Wood has since apologised to his team and vowed to return stronger.

MMA Sep 7

Carrick hails Shaw-Rashford axis as 'particularly dangerous' after Everton draw

Michael Carrick has praised the revived left-wing partnership between Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford, who combined effectively in Manchester United's draw at Everton — their 202nd appearance together for the club.

Football Sep 7

Haaland backs Arsenal as title rivals but warns City's rebuild is far from over

Erling Haaland has acknowledged Arsenal's strength heading into the new Premier League season while insisting Manchester City are still in a rebuilding phase following sweeping summer changes, including the departures of Rodri, Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

Football Sep 7

Costa accuses UFC of double standards over Pereira's heavyweight ranking and title inconsistencies

Paulo Costa has publicly criticised the UFC for applying inconsistent rules across its roster, questioning why Alex Pereira holds a top-four heavyweight ranking despite never winning a fight at that weight class.

MMA Sep 7

Ortega accuses UFC of avoiding outside fighters who could 'whoop us'

Brian Ortega has claimed the UFC deliberately avoids signing certain fighters from rival promotions because they pose a genuine threat to its roster, praising training partner A.J. McKee as proof that elite talent exists beyond the organisation.

MMA Sep 7

Zalal departs Factory X after five-fight UFC run, enters talks with Wittman

Youssef Zalal has confirmed he has split from Factory X, the Colorado gym where he trained for most of his professional career. The 18-6-1 featherweight says he is now in talks with Trevor Wittman, coach of UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje.

MMA Sep 7

All Blacks assistant Barnes admits Springboks' set-piece dominance demands humble pie before Baltimore

All Blacks forwards coach Neil Barnes has openly conceded New Zealand were outmuscled at scrum time in Soweto, saying he and scrum coach Jason Ryan must find solutions before the series-levelling third Test in Baltimore.

Rugby Sep 7

Goalkeeper Koeman Jr. scores twice from the spot to snatch late draw for Telstar

Ronald Koeman Jr. converted two penalties, including a stoppage-time equaliser in the 11th minute of added time, to rescue a 2-2 home draw for Telstar against Cambuur in the Eredivisie on Sunday.

Football Sep 7

Teenage substitute Hisai floors veteran Sitthichai with brutal uppercut at Knockout 68

Muay Thai and kickboxing veteran Sitthichai was knocked out cold by 20-year-old Taimu Hisai at Knockout 68 in Yokohama on Saturday. Hisai, stepping in on short notice and moving up a weight class, landed a vicious uppercut that lifted the former Glory Kickboxing champion off his feet.

MMA Sep 6

Verstappen hugs Antonelli's father at Monza before son can reach him in viral paddock moment

Max Verstappen was caught on camera embracing Marco Antonelli in the Monza paddock after Kimi Antonelli won his home grand prix from 19th on the grid, with the gesture drawing widespread praise from fans across social media.

Formula 1 Sep 6

All Blacks lose Savea, Jacobson and Tupaea to injury ahead of Baltimore Springboks decider

New Zealand arrive in Baltimore for the fourth and final Test of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series without nine squad members, including key starters Ardie Savea (shoulder), Luke Jacobson (elbow tendon), and Quinn Tupaea (MCL).

Rugby Sep 6

Erasmus praises All Blacks scrum after Springboks edge third Test in Soweto

Rassie Erasmus credited New Zealand's front-row changes after South Africa's 29-24 win in Soweto, admitting the scrums were far from one-sided and calling for the 'games' narrative around Springbok set-piece tactics to be put to rest.

Rugby Sep 6

Free from Wydad, Ziyech signs with Botafogo to boost Brazilian champions

Hakim Ziyech, 33, and 64-time Morocco international, has agreed a contract with Botafogo running until December 2028. The former Ajax and Chelsea player is expected in Rio de Janeiro early next week.

Football Sep 6