SportsCatch

Manchester City confirm £116m Anderson signing in deliberately understated 82-word statement

Manchester City have agreed a £116m deal with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson, making the 23-year-old the most expensive British player in history. City chose a minimal public announcement to avoid disrupting Anderson's England World Cup campaign.

Football Jul 3

Hervé Renard in talks to replace Pape Thiaw after Senegal's World Cup exit

Eliminated by Belgium in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup after leading 2-0 until the 85th minute, Senegal is considering parting ways with Pape Thiaw. The federation has reportedly already contacted Hervé Renard, whose wife is Senegalese.

Football Jul 3

Zidane's sports complex blocked by two legal challenges

Zinedine Zidane's Z5 project in Onet-le-Château, which includes nine padel courts and a football pitch on former agricultural land, faces two appeals filed with the Toulouse administrative court.

Football Jul 3

Rudi Garcia clarifies remarks on Senegal after racism controversy

Accused of racism after mentioning the « tactical control » of opposing teams late in the match, Belgian manager Rudi Garcia issued a statement to clarify that his words were not specifically aimed at African teams.

Football Jul 3

Gvardiol's Disallowed Goal Eliminates Croatia and Triggers Dalic's Fury

Croatia lost 2-1 to Portugal in the World Cup round of 16 after a late equalizer by Gvardiol was ruled out by VAR for offside detected via ball sensor technology. Coach Zlatko Dalic called the refereeing "catastrophic."

Football Jul 3

Marsch calls Morocco a "horrible nightmare" ahead of Round of 16 clash in Houston

Two days before facing Morocco in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, Canadian manager Jesse Marsch admitted his fears about the Lions of the Atlas, while promising to "seize the chance" for his team.

Football Jul 3

Crawford calls McGregor's $200 million crossover offer claim 'a lie'

Retired boxing champion Terence Crawford has flatly denied Conor McGregor's assertion that a $200 million two-fight crossover deal was on the table, telling Ariel Helwani the figure was fabricated and no formal offer was ever made.

MMA Jul 3

Tchouameni and Scott emerge as United's top midfield targets after Fernandes miss

Manchester United have missed out on Mateus Fernandes to Tottenham and Elliot Anderson to Manchester City, forcing the club to pivot toward alternatives including Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouameni and Bournemouth's Alex Scott.

Football Jul 3

Man Utd cool on Wharton and Baleba as Alex Scott emerges as top midfield target

Manchester United have effectively ruled out moves for Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Brighton's Carlos Baleba, with Bournemouth's Alex Scott now leading their midfield shortlist ahead of a Champions League campaign.

Football Jul 3

McGregor ends five-year UFC absence against Holloway at welterweight on July 11

Conor McGregor returns to the UFC Octagon on July 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, facing Max Holloway at UFC 329 after a five-year hiatus. The former two-division champion says a disciplined, low-profile training camp has him feeling "absolutely amazing" ahead of the welterweight bout.

MMA Jul 3

Pimblett calls Topuria 'a fat featherweight' after Gaethje TKO ends lightweight reign

Paddy Pimblett has dismissed Ilia Topuria as too small for lightweight following Justin Gaethje's corner-stoppage victory at UFC 250, claiming he would force the Georgian back down to featherweight if they ever met.

MMA Jul 3

Ronaldo defers retirement call until after World Cup as 2030 appearance stays on the table

Cristiano Ronaldo refused to announce any decision on his international future after Portugal beat Croatia 2-1 to reach the World Cup Round of 16, saying he will decide once the tournament is over. Coach Roberto Martinez has backed the 39-year-old to compete at a record seventh World Cup in 2030.

Football Jul 3

Tottenham hijack Arsenal's pursuit of Kroupi after £100m Tonali deal

Tottenham have emerged as frontrunners to sign Bournemouth's Eli Junior Kroupi, valued at over £80m, after Arsenal passed on the 20-year-old. Spurs have already agreed a £100m deal for Sandro Tonali, a midfielder Arsenal also rejected over salary demands.

Football Jul 3

VAR denies Gvardiol's stoppage-time leveller to send Portugal past Croatia and into last 16

Portugal survived a dramatic late scare to beat Croatia 2-1 in Toronto, with VAR overturning Josko Gvardiol's 105th-minute goal for offside to seal their place in the World Cup last 16 against Spain.

Football Jul 3

Josh Emmett targets lightweight return after featherweight cut costs him five of last six fights

Josh Emmett, 41, is planning to move back up to 155 pounds after conceding that the featherweight cut is "crazy" and has hurt his performances. The former interim title challenger has lost five of his last six UFC bouts.

MMA Jul 3

Carter Gordon returns to Wallabies No. 10 jersey to face Ireland in sold-out Sydney

Carter Gordon will start at fly-half for Australia against Ireland in Sydney, partnering ACT Brumbies captain Ryan Lonergan in a new-look halves pairing. It is only the 25-year-old's third Test on home soil and his first since a stint in the NRL with the Gold Coast Titans.

Rugby Jul 3

Prochazka walks into stinging nettles as part of bushido-inspired training ritual

Jiri Prochazka has added stinging nettles to his already unconventional training arsenal, describing the ceremonial practice as a way to feel 'cleansed and reborn'. The former UFC light heavyweight champion is rebuilding after his first-round loss to Carlos Ulberg at UFC 327 in April.

MMA Jul 3

Microchip ball technology denies Croatia late equaliser and sends Portugal past to face Spain

A microchip embedded in the Adidas 'Trionda' match ball allowed VAR to use Snickometer technology to disallow Josko Gvardiol's 113th-minute equaliser, confirming Igor Matanovic had touched the ball before an offside position came into play. Portugal advance to the last 16 to face Spain.

Football Jul 3

Ronaldo dons Jota's jersey as Portugal survive Croatia scare in stoppage time

Cristiano Ronaldo honoured the late Diogo Jota by wearing his No. 21 shirt after Portugal's comeback 2-1 win over Croatia in the World Cup round of 32, with Gonçalo Ramos sealing victory four minutes into stoppage time.

Football Jul 3

Ronaldo nets first World Cup knockout goal but fumes at substitution as Portugal edge Croatia

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a penalty to equalise for Portugal against Croatia but was visibly furious when Roberto Martinez replaced him in the 81st minute. Portugal held on to win 2-1 and advance to the last 16, where they face Spain.

Football Jul 3