Press conference news — SportsCatch

Erasmus praises Springboks debutants but admits pair 'weren't brilliant' in 45-21 rout of England

Rassie Erasmus gave a measured verdict on Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers after the uncapped pair stepped in at the last hour for South Africa's 45-21 win over England at Ellis Park, with Eben Etzebeth and Siya Kolisi both ruled out on the eve of the match.

Rugby Jul 4

Kane vows England will write new Azteca history 40 years after Maradona's Hand of God

Harry Kane has called England's upcoming World Cup knockout tie at the Azteca Stadium a chance to 'write their own history', 40 years after Diego Maradona's Hand of God ended their 1986 campaign in Mexico City.

Football Jul 4

Kane urges fans to celebrate at sunrise as FIFA kick-off chaos forces pubs to scramble

England captain Harry Kane has told supporters to embrace an early-morning celebration after FIFA's repeated changes to the Mexico City kick-off time threw pub owners, travelling fans, and staffing plans into disarray.

Football Jul 4

Wolff says 'emotional' Vasseur misread his Ferrari cost-cap comments at Silverstone

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has pushed back against Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur's claim that he was accusing the Scuderia of cheating, insisting his remarks about Ferrari's upgrade pace were merely an observation and were misunderstood.

Formula 1 Jul 4

Richard criticizes Longoria's financial management at OM: "a very significant accounting hole"

Appointed president of Olympique de Marseille in April, Stéphane Richard has criticized his predecessor Pablo Longoria's financial management in an interview with La Provence, citing a "control problem" following DNCG sanctions.

Football Jul 4

Tuchel expects Mexico's 'every trick' but backs England to make peace with the Azteca

Thomas Tuchel says England are braced for hostile crowds, altitude and logistical disruptions ahead of their World Cup last-16 tie against joint hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, while insisting his squad has the experience to handle it all.

Football Jul 4

Schmidt backs Donaldson after fly-half's last-gasp penalty miss costs Wallabies in 33-31 thriller

Joe Schmidt has pledged his support for Ben Donaldson after the fly-half missed two penalties — including a match-winning attempt in the final play — as Australia fell 33-31 to Ireland in Sydney.

Rugby Jul 4

Carragher savages Tuchel's 'bizarre' Chalobah call as England's right-back crisis deepens at World Cup

Jamie Carragher has criticised Thomas Tuchel's decision to call up Trevoh Chalobah during England's right-back crisis at the 2026 World Cup, calling it 'bizarre' and arguing the problem stems from flawed selections 'from day one'.

Football Jul 4

Rennie hails 'outrageous' 85% ruck speed as All Blacks edge France 34-32 in Christchurch

Dave Rennie singled out New Zealand's lightning-quick ball as the standout statistic from a narrow 34-32 win over France in Christchurch, with 83% of the All Blacks' rucks won inside three seconds in his first Test in charge.

Rugby Jul 4

Shearer demands Tuchel drop Rashford, Spence and Madueke for Mexico World Cup tie

Alan Shearer has called for three changes to England's starting XI ahead of Sunday's World Cup Round of 16 clash against Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, criticising Thomas Tuchel's wide selections after a laboured 2-1 win over DR Congo.

Football Jul 4

Hypobaric chambers to secret Kansas City base: how England prepared for Mexico's Azteca

Thomas Tuchel's England have spent months preparing for Monday's last-16 World Cup clash against joint-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium, deploying altitude chambers, remote fitness monitoring, and a carefully chosen training base in Kansas City.

Football Jul 4

Verstappen braced for defensive sprint battle as Mercedes and Ferrari hold pace edge at Silverstone

Max Verstappen qualified third for the British Grand Prix sprint race at Silverstone but concedes front-row starters Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli are too quick to chase, leaving him expecting a rearguard fight against Charles Leclerc and George Russell.

Formula 1 Jul 4

Ancelotti invokes Ferguson to silence Brazil critics ahead of Norway last-16 clash

Carlo Ancelotti has pushed back against criticism of Brazil's style after their unconvincing 2-1 comeback win over Japan, arguing only Sir Alex Ferguson — with more than 2,000 matches managed — is better placed to question his football knowledge. Brazil face Norway in the World Cup last 16 in New York.

Football Jul 4

England left in the dark as FIFA discussed Mexico kick-off change without telling the FA

The Football Association spent around six hours unaware that FIFA was considering moving England's last-16 World Cup tie against Mexico to an earlier kick-off, only learning of the discussions through the media.

Football Jul 4

Dugarry names Olise as the key to stopping France

With five assists since the start of the 2026 World Cup, Michael Olise has become the cornerstone of the France team according to Christophe Dugarry, who advises upcoming opponents to neutralize the Bayern winger as a priority.

Football Jul 4

Clarke relishes first Clarke-Penaud duel as Six Nations snub fuels French winger

Caleb Clarke admits he expects a fired-up Damian Penaud when New Zealand host France in Christchurch on Saturday, with the All Blacks winger acknowledging his opposite number's motivation after being dropped for the Six Nations despite being France's all-time leading try-scorer.

Rugby Jul 3

Mexico boss Aguirre blindsided by Fifa's World Cup kick-off change ahead of England clash

Javier Aguirre says Fifa never consulted him before moving Mexico's round-of-16 fixture against England to an earlier kick-off at the Estadio Azteca, calling the potential change 'a kick in the stomach' that disrupts his team's entire preparation schedule.

Football Jul 3

Neville accuses FIFA of sporting integrity breach over last-minute England-Mexico schedule change

Gary Neville has condemned FIFA for a proposed six-hour shift to England's World Cup last-16 clash with Mexico in Mexico City, warning the late change hands Thomas Tuchel's side a clear sporting disadvantage with preparations already locked in for a 6pm local kick-off.

Football Jul 3

Mexico coach Aguirre blasts FIFA over last-minute England kick-off change at World Cup

Javier Aguirre has publicly condemned FIFA after Mexico's last-16 clash with England at the Azteca Stadium was moved six hours earlier due to electrical thunderstorms, with the governing body yet to make an official announcement.

Football Jul 3

Rashford calls kickoff change 'not ideal' as England left in dark over FIFA's World Cup decision

Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers have responded after FIFA moved England's Round of 16 clash with Mexico from 1am GMT to 7pm, citing flooding and thunderstorm risks at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The FA was not consulted before the decision was made.

Football Jul 3