Press conference news — SportsCatch

Quesada's ban halved to one match after disciplinary hearing over referee criticism

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has had his suspension reduced from two matches to one following an independent disciplinary hearing. He will miss Italy's Nations Championship clash against Australia in Perth on 18 July.

Rugby Jul 17

Hasselbaink blames England players' mentality, not Tuchel, for Argentina World Cup exit

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, a former assistant to Gareth Southgate, has argued that England's players bear greater responsibility than Thomas Tuchel for the semi-final collapse against Argentina, singling out a defensive mentality shift after the opening goal.

Football Jul 17

Championship leader Antonelli opens up on fame's pressures ahead of Belgian GP

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, who leads the Formula 1 drivers' championship by 25 points, has spoken candidly about the downsides of his rising profile in Italy, admitting there are moments when he wishes he could go unrecognised.

Formula 1 Jul 17

Zidane inherits disappointing Dembélé World Cup as priority issue

Despite a hat-trick against Norway, Ousmane Dembélé delivered a World Cup below his Paris Saint-Germain level. Zinédine Zidane, whose appointment as France manager could be made official next week, will need to elevate the Blues winger's performance.

Football Jul 17

FIFA raises World Cup 2026 winners' prize to £37m as Spain and Argentina meet in final

FIFA has increased the prize for winning the 2026 World Cup to £37 million, up nearly £6 million on the 2022 payout to Argentina. Spain and Argentina contest Sunday's final, with players in the winning squad set to share roughly £17 million between them.

Football Jul 17

Nicky Butt urges Kobbie Mainoo to refuse England's third-place start after seven games on the bench

Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has called on Kobbie Mainoo to turn down any opportunity to start England's World Cup 2026 third-place match against France on Saturday, citing the 21-year-old's complete absence from Thomas Tuchel's matchday plans across all seven tournament games.

Football Jul 17

Jamie George threatens to walk England off pitch if racial abuse is repeated in Argentina

England captain Jamie George has warned he will lead his team from the field if players are racially abused during Saturday's Test against Argentina in Santiago del Estero, a year after Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Chandler Cunningham-South were targeted by fans in San Juan.

Rugby Jul 17

Championship leader Antonelli reveals Federer's pressure advice ahead of Belgian Grand Prix

Formula 1 points leader Kimi Antonelli has shared the advice Roger Federer gave him at Wimbledon — focus on one race at a time and control the emotions that cause mistakes — as the 19-year-old Mercedes driver heads to Spa with a 25-point lead over George Russell.

Formula 1 Jul 17

Guardiola agreed England terms in 2024 before change of heart left door open for Tuchel

Pep Guardiola reached a verbal agreement with the FA to succeed Gareth Southgate in 2024, only to reverse course and stay at Manchester City. Thomas Tuchel took the job instead and now faces scrutiny after England's 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina.

Football Jul 17

Former referee warns Kane his 'irritating' questions cost England 50-50 calls

Ex-Premier League referee Graham Scott has criticised Harry Kane's habit of pestering officials with sarcastic questions, warning it actively turns referees against him. His comments follow England's 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina at the World Cup.

Football Jul 17

Tuchel vows to stay as England boss despite World Cup semi-final exit and sack calls

Thomas Tuchel has reaffirmed his commitment to leading England through to Euro 2028 after their 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, insisting he is '100% committed' to the role despite growing pressure.

Football Jul 17

Alexander-Arnold embraces Mourinho's intensity as Real Madrid preseason begins

Trent Alexander-Arnold has praised José Mourinho's high standards and demanding double sessions at Valdebebas, describing his first preseason under the Portuguese coach as intense but welcome after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Football Jul 17

England switch Buenos Aires hotel to dodge Argentina World Cup celebrations

England have changed their post-match hotel in Buenos Aires to avoid a repeat of the mass street celebrations that followed Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph, after hundreds of thousands of fans gathered outside their current base on Wednesday night.

Rugby Jul 17

Deschamps Refuses Free Evening for France Squad Before Third-Place Playoff Against England

After elimination by Spain (2-0), several French players requested a free evening in Fort Lauderdale. Didier Deschamps refused, even after insistence from senior players, and intends to keep his squad focused for the match against England.

Football Jul 17

Obraniak calls Favard a "drunk" after clash over Deschamps' record

France's elimination from the 2026 World Cup sparked a fierce exchange on X between Ludovic Obraniak and Gilles Favard, two former colleagues at La chaîne L'Équipe, over Didier Deschamps' legacy as he steps down after fourteen years in charge.

Football Jul 17

Tuchel privately rejects claims he told England to defend lead before Argentina comeback

Thomas Tuchel has privately dismissed accusations that he instructed England to sit on their 1-0 lead against Argentina, who scored twice in the final five minutes to win 2-1 and eliminate the Three Lions from the World Cup semi-finals.

Football Jul 17

FIFA respond to Falklands banner row as Tuchel privately rejects England tactics criticism

FIFA have issued a statement after Argentina players displayed a Falkland Islands banner following their semi-final win over England, while Thomas Tuchel has privately pushed back against claims he told his side to sit back after taking the lead.

Football Jul 17

France faces Valenzuela in third-place playoff against England, despite Deschamps' criticism

FIFA has appointed Venezuelan referee Jesus Valenzuela to officiate the third-place playoff between France and England on Saturday. The decision comes just days after Didier Deschamps made strong criticism of the refereeing in the semi-final.

Football Jul 17

Kane vows England will 'go again' after Argentina end World Cup semi-final hopes

Harry Kane has broken his silence following England's 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina at the World Cup, posting a heartfelt message on social media that strongly hints he intends to continue his international career.

Football Jul 17

Du Plessis insists UFC OKC win over Usman must earn him a third Strickland title shot

Dricus du Plessis faces former champion Kamaru Usman in the UFC Oklahoma City main event on July 18, with the South African arguing that the winner — and the manner of victory — deserves next crack at Sean Strickland's middleweight title.

MMA Jul 17