SportsCatch

Jordan Ibe pleads guilty to assault after pulling braid from ex-girlfriend's head

Former Liverpool and Bournemouth winger Jordan Ibe changed his plea to guilty at Croydon Magistrates' Court on 14 July, admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm against ex-girlfriend Amie Mayson in December. Sentencing is scheduled for 4 September.

Football Jul 15

Beckham reveals lasting guilt over 1998 red card as old rival Simeone becomes firm friend

David Beckham has opened up on the emotional toll of his infamous 1998 World Cup red card against Argentina, admitting he still cannot forgive himself — while his relationship with Diego Simeone has transformed into a genuine friendship decades on.

Football Jul 15

Du Plessis admits UFC 319 camp targeted a Chimaev who never showed up

Dricus du Plessis has revealed he spent his UFC 319 training camp preparing for Khamzat Chimaev's trademark aggressive scrambles, only for 'Borz' to adopt a static, control-based approach that surrendered nearly 22 minutes of ground time and cost du Plessis his middleweight title.

MMA Jul 15

Topuria's shock UFC defeat prompts Joshua to cut himself off before Prenga fight

Anthony Joshua has isolated himself from distractions after watching Ilia Topuria lose his lightweight title to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250. The British heavyweight, who faces Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Jeddah, says the result reminded him the fight game is "not a joke".

MMA Jul 15

Khabib reveals UFC contract bars him from fighting anywhere else — even in retirement

Undefeated former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has disclosed he remains bound by an exclusive UFC contract that would prevent him from competing for any other promotion, even decades after his 2020 retirement.

MMA Jul 15

Man City target Bouaddi in £200m midfield overhaul as Rodri's future clouds picture

Manchester City are pursuing Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi for £85 million after breaking their club record to sign Elliot Anderson for £116 million, with Rodri's injury and uncertain contract adding urgency to a midfield rebuild.

Football Jul 15

Retired Poirier names Khabib as the strongest fighter he ever faced in UFC career

Dustin Poirier has named Khabib Nurmagomedov as the most physically imposing opponent of his career, saying the undefeated Russian felt like he 'weighed a 1000 pounds' during their 2019 lightweight title fight at UFC 242.

MMA Jul 15

Micah Richards sets 2034 deadline to quit punditry as Shearer commits to BBC role

Micah Richards has announced he will step away from all mainstream media after the 2034 World Cup to pursue community work in his hometown of Chapeltown, Leeds. His BBC colleague Alan Shearer, meanwhile, has made clear he has no plans to leave his punditry role.

Football Jul 15

France-Spain: Deschamps and Rodri unite to criticize Ivan Barton's refereeing

After France's 2-0 defeat to Spain in the semi-final, Didier Deschamps questioned the level of referee Ivan Barton. Spanish captain Rodri himself mentioned "10 or 15 fouls not called" against Lamine Yamal.

Football Jul 15

Mbappe questions Deschamps' tactics after France fall to Spain in World Cup semi-final

Kylian Mbappe publicly criticised France's tactical setup and called out his team-mates following a 2-0 World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro ending Les Bleus' hopes of a third consecutive final.

Football Jul 15

Retired and unbeaten, Khabib claims his wrestling is sharper now than during his UFC title reign

Khabib Nurmagomedov, who retired undefeated as UFC lightweight champion in 2020, says his grappling has improved dramatically since then and that he had not yet reached his prime when he walked away from the sport.

MMA Jul 15

Allegri issues McTominay warning as Ander Herrera completes emotional Zaragoza return

Napoli boss Massimiliano Allegri has sent a pointed message to Scott McTominay about values and professionalism ahead of the Serie A season, while former Manchester United midfielder Ander Herrera has rejoined boyhood club Real Zaragoza on a one-year deal.

Football Jul 15

Blachowicz dismisses Hill's heavyweight move as the result of an undisciplined diet

Jan Blachowicz has taken aim at Jamahal Hill's dramatic weight gain, insisting the former light heavyweight champion looks 'fat' because of poor diet rather than his ongoing knee injury recovery.

MMA Jul 15

United seal Tielemans signing as De Bruyne hails Belgium captain's World Cup leadership

Manchester United have confirmed the signing of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa, with the midfielder arriving days after captaining Belgium at the World Cup — a campaign that drew praise from Kevin De Bruyne following a two-goal display against Senegal.

Football Jul 15

Khabib warns Garry's height and elusive style pose real threat to Makhachev at UFC 330

Khabib Nurmagomedov has flagged Ian Garry's 6'4" frame and slippery style as genuine problems for Islam Makhachev ahead of their UFC 330 welterweight title fight on August 15 in Philadelphia, adding that a six-year age gap compounds the challenge.

MMA Jul 15

Arsenal agree deal for forward as Alvarez transfer timeline emerges after title win

Arsenal have agreed a deal for a forward as their summer transfer activity accelerates following a first Premier League title in 22 years. Julian Alvarez remains a top target, though the Argentine will not address his club future until after the World Cup concludes on July 19.

Football Jul 15

Deschamps questions referee's World Cup credentials after France fall to Spain in semi-final

France manager Didier Deschamps publicly challenged FIFA's choice of referee Ivan Barton after his side's World Cup semi-final defeat to Spain, asking reporters whether Barton was capable of handling a match of such magnitude.

Football Jul 15

Ibrahimović hails Rodri's World Cup comeback after ACL nightmare: 'He puts out fires'

Zlatan Ibrahimović has praised Spain midfielder Rodri for his remarkable return from a serious ACL injury, calling him an underappreciated force who won the Ballon d'Or from a position that rarely earns such recognition.

Football Jul 15

Spain shut out France 2-0 to reach second-ever World Cup final on 37-game unbeaten run

Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sent Spain into the 2026 World Cup final after a disciplined 2-0 defeat of France in Dallas, extending La Roja's unbeaten run to 37 games and marking the third consecutive summer they have eliminated France at the semifinal stage of a major tournament.

Football Jul 15

Spain reach World Cup final as Deschamps questions referee after 2-0 loss to Spain

Spain beat France 2-0 in their World Cup semi-final at Dallas Stadium on Tuesday, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro sending Luis de la Fuente's side to Sunday's final. A frustrated Didier Deschamps questioned whether Salvadoran referee Ivan Barton was of sufficient standard for the occasion.

Football Jul 15