Press conference news — SportsCatch

Jones backs Hokit to dethrone Gane at UFC 334 but admits a Gane win burnishes his own legacy

Jon Jones believes unbeaten contender Josh Hokit can upset heavyweight champion Ciryl Gane at UFC 334 on 14 November at Madison Square Garden, but the former champion concedes that another Gane victory would reflect well on his own 2023 submission win over the Frenchman.

MMA Oct 13

Gerrard demands City be stripped of titles and 'made to suffer' after 114 financial breaches ruling

Steven Gerrard has called on the Premier League to strip Manchester City of their trophies and impose a multi-year transfer ban and points deduction after the club were found guilty of 114 financial rule breaches between 2009 and 2018.

Football Oct 13

Six players ruled out as injury crisis deepens for Carrick's Man Utd before Atletico clash

Manchester United travel to Atletico Madrid for a Champions League fixture without six first-team players, including Kobbie Mainoo and Luke Shaw, who both picked up issues in Sunday's draw with Tottenham.

Football Oct 13

Hansen expects Wallabies to regroup after 50-point All Blacks demolition in Auckland

Former All Blacks head coach Sir Steve Hansen says Australia will adjust their game plan after a heavy first-Test defeat in Auckland, warning New Zealand could drop off if they fail to match the same intensity in Sydney.

Rugby Oct 13

Dugarry predicts clash between Dembélé and PSG over repeated rest periods

Christophe Dugarry is concerned about PSG's management of Ousmane Dembélé: rested for the second time in six matches, the Ballon d'Or winner risks entering into conflict with Luis Enrique, according to him.

Football Oct 13

Zidane's training sessions perceived as more intense than Deschamps' by France players

According to L'Équipe, France national team players view Zinedine Zidane's training sessions as more intense than those of his predecessor Didier Deschamps. This difference is already affecting how clubs manage their players, including Ousmane Dembélé at Paris Saint-Germain.

Football Oct 13

Suaalii embraces Wallabies wing role as part of journey to becoming a great rugby player

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has welcomed his positional switch to the wing under coach Les Kiss, saying learning new roles is central to his development after featuring there in Tests against the Springboks and All Blacks.

Rugby Oct 13

Shaw and Mainoo join four absentees as United travel to Atletico with depleted squad

Manchester United head to Madrid for their Champions League tie against Atletico without six players, after Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo both picked up injuries during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

Football Oct 13

Unbeaten Evloev declares himself in prime ahead of Volkanovski featherweight title shot at UFC 333

Movsar Evloev, 20-0 and unbeaten in his UFC career, says his preparation for the UFC 333 featherweight title fight against Alexander Volkanovski on October 24 in Abu Dhabi is his best ever, describing himself as stronger and sharper than at any previous point in his career.

MMA Oct 13

Pereira accuses UFC of orchestrating influencer campaign to justify Gane-Hokit title fight

Alex Pereira claims the UFC enlisted Daniel Cormier and other high-profile figures to publicly endorse the Ciryl Gane vs. Josh Hokit heavyweight title bout before its announcement, alleging the promotion manipulated fan perception to sideline his expected rematch.

MMA Oct 13

Pereira backs Costa to seize UFC light heavyweight shot by overwhelming Ankalaev

Alex Pereira believes Paulo Costa can earn a UFC light heavyweight title shot by imposing his aggressive pace on Magomed Ankalaev, warning that hesitation would make the fight a coin flip. The pair are circling each other as champion Carlos Ulberg recovers from injury.

MMA Oct 13

Rennie reveals work-rate concerns keeping Tavatavanawai out of All Blacks plans

All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has explained why powerful Highlanders centre Timoci Tavatavanawai continues to miss out on Test selection, citing off-the-ball work rate as the key area the 28-year-old must improve to force his way into World Cup contention.

Rugby Oct 13

Carragher singles out Mbeumo and Baleba for 'unacceptable' role in Spurs' stoppage-time leveller

Jamie Carragher has criticised Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba after Manchester United surrendered a late lead to draw 1-1 with Tottenham at Old Trafford, with Dominic Solanke heading home in stoppage time despite United playing with 10 men against them.

Football Oct 12

Carrick invokes Arteta's early struggles to defend his position as United crisis deepens

Michael Carrick has drawn comparisons with Mikel Arteta's difficult early years at Arsenal to argue for patience at Manchester United, where the Red Devils have won just one of their opening six league games this season.

Football Oct 12

Carrick backs Fernandes to rediscover best form but warns no United player is undroppable

Michael Carrick has expressed confidence that Bruno Fernandes will return to his record-breaking best, but made clear that no player at Manchester United is guaranteed a starting place regardless of reputation.

Football Oct 12

Carrick pleads for more time at Manchester United after worst league start in 40 years

Michael Carrick has publicly appealed to Manchester United's hierarchy for patience after just two wins in eight games, pointing to Mikel Arteta and Diego Simeone as proof that backing a manager through a difficult spell can pay off.

Football Oct 12

Shaw and Mainoo ruled out as injury-hit United travel to Atletico Madrid

Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo have been ruled out of Manchester United's Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid after picking up knocks against Tottenham. Manager Michael Carrick confirmed neither player travelled to Madrid, though he played down concerns over captain Bruno Fernandes.

Football Oct 12

Schmeichel urges Premier League to spare City relegation but demands points deductions, ownership sale and transfer ban

Peter Schmeichel has outlined four alternative punishments for Manchester City if their appeal against financial rule breaches fails, insisting relegation should be off the table but calling for a five-year points deduction of 25 per season, a transfer ban, a heavy fine and a forced ownership sale.

Football Oct 12

Chambon steps up as France name third-choice captain for New Zealand tour

Alexandra Chambon has been named France captain for the three-Test tour of New Zealand after Pauline Bourdon Sansus and Manae Feleu were both unavailable. The 26-year-old scrum-half will lead an inexperienced squad against the world's second-ranked side.

Rugby Oct 12

Carrick faces media in Madrid as Shaw, Mainoo and De Ligt fitness doubts cloud Atletico clash

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick held his pre-match press conference in Spain ahead of Tuesday's Champions League tie at Atletico Madrid's Metropolitano, with Luke Shaw, Kobbie Mainoo and Matthijs de Ligt all carrying fitness concerns.

Football Oct 12