Press conference news — SportsCatch

Du Plessis accuses Usman of stalling on UFC Oklahoma City contract: 'He didn't want to sign'

Dricus du Plessis claims Kamaru Usman had to be convinced by the UFC to sign their July 18 middleweight main event, with the South African saying he wants the fight to silence doubts about his wrestling and grappling after losing his belt to Khamzat Chimaev.

MMA Jul 6

McGregor's coach declares Irishman in best shape ever ahead of UFC 329 return

After a five-year absence from the Octagon, Conor McGregor is preparing to face Max Holloway at welterweight in UFC 329 on July 11 in Las Vegas. His coach Julian Dalby says McGregor has never looked better.

MMA Jul 6

Eblen questions van Steenis injury after PFL Austin withdrawal forces interim title bout

Johnny Eblen has publicly doubted the severity of Costello van Steenis's injury after the PFL middleweight champion withdrew from their July 18 rematch in Austin. Eblen will now face Impa Kasanganay for the interim title at Moody Center.

MMA Jul 6

Adams urges Wales to move on from 125-point autumn horror ahead of Argentina and Springboks tests

Josh Adams has called on Wales to build on three successive victories rather than dwell on last autumn's heavy defeats to Argentina and South Africa, as the squad prepares to face both sides in the Nations Championship.

Rugby Jul 6

Russell admits Silverstone podium was undeserved as Antonelli's pace exposes Mercedes gap

George Russell finished second at his home British Grand Prix but was candid about his performance, saying he did not deserve the result. David Coulthard echoed that view, pointing to team-mate Kimi Antonelli's superior pace before a mechanical failure ended the Italian's charge.

Formula 1 Jul 6

Holloway braced for best McGregor as pair renew rivalry at UFC 329 after 13 years

Max Holloway says he is preparing for the best possible version of Conor McGregor ahead of their UFC 329 rematch on 11 July, 13 years after McGregor claimed a unanimous decision win in their first meeting back in 2013.

MMA Jul 6

Coulthard urges FIA to prioritise entertainment after Silverstone safety car finish denies sprint finale

David Coulthard has called on the FIA to make entertainment a priority after the British Grand Prix ended under the safety car, robbing fans of a green-flag finish despite Charles Leclerc's historic victory for Ferrari.

Formula 1 Jul 6

Olmo dismisses Real Madrid's criticism as envy after two trophy-less years

Dani Olmo has told RAC1 that Real Madrid's public attacks on Barcelona are a predictable response to two barren seasons for Los Blancos, during which the Blaugrana collected La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa.

Football Jul 6

Tuchel hails England's 3-2 win over Mexico as feeling 'like we won the final'

Thomas Tuchel described England's dramatic 3-2 victory over co-hosts Mexico at the 2026 World Cup as 'a moment of joy' and 'almost like we won a final', after his side survived 40 minutes with 10 men at altitude to reach the quarter-finals.

Football Jul 6

Wolff wishes Abu Dhabi 2021 had been handled like Silverstone's safety car finish

Toto Wolff praised the FIA for correctly following safety car procedures at the British Grand Prix, joking he wished the same rules had applied in Abu Dhabi 2021. A software error briefly suggested a restart was coming, prompting boos from the Silverstone crowd.

Formula 1 Jul 6

Klopp brands Trump-Infantino intervention over Balogun ban reversal 'crazy'

Jurgen Klopp has publicly criticised Donald Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino after football's governing body suspended Folarin Balogun's automatic one-match ban, allowing the USA forward to face Belgium in the World Cup round of 16.

Football Jul 6

Belgium appeal Fifa's last-minute decision to lift Balogun's red-card ban before USA clash

Belgium's football association has been granted the right to appeal Fifa's controversial decision to suspend Folarin Balogun's one-match ban, hours before the USA face Belgium in a World Cup round of 16 tie at Seattle Stadium. Both sides were asked to submit arguments just 12 hours before kick-off.

Football Jul 6

Aguirre steps down as Mexico boss after England's historic Azteca victory

Javier Aguirre has left his role as Mexico manager following their World Cup defeat to England at the Azteca Stadium, with assistant Rafa Marquez set to take charge in a succession plan agreed before the tournament.

Football Jul 6

Tuchel blasts refereeing after England's qualification against Mexico

Qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals at Mexico's expense, England saw manager Thomas Tuchel launch a scathing attack on referee Alireza Faghani and VAR officials, whom he suspects of bias.

Football Jul 6

Faghani's two penalties and Quansah red card spark referee row after England edge Mexico 3-2

Referee Alireza Faghani divided opinion with a string of contentious VAR-assisted decisions in England's 3-2 round-of-16 win over Mexico, prompting a furious post-match rant from Thomas Tuchel and calls from fans to appoint Faghani for the final.

Football Jul 6

Tuchel demands FIFA consistency after Trump's Balogun red card reversal opens England appeal door

Thomas Tuchel has questioned FIFA's decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's red card following a private intervention by Donald Trump, arguing the U-turn creates grounds for England to appeal Jarell Quansah's dismissal against Mexico.

Football Jul 6

Tuchel rages at referee after 10-man England survive Azteca scare to reach World Cup quarter-finals

Thomas Tuchel launched a furious attack on match officials despite England's 3-2 last-16 victory over Mexico at the Estadio Azteca, condemning the referee and a VAR panel he claimed was stacked with South American officials.

Football Jul 6

Ronaldo silences retirement questions ahead of Portugal's last-16 clash with Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo hit back at reporters asking about his international future at a World Cup press conference, insisting he will retire 'when I want to, not when you want me to.' The 41-year-old has scored three goals in the tournament as Portugal prepare to face Spain in the last 16.

Football Jul 6

Tuchel blasts referees after VAR controversies cloud England's 3-2 win over Mexico

England reached the World Cup quarter-finals with a 3-2 victory over Mexico at the Azteca, but Thomas Tuchel directed sharp criticism at the officials after two VAR interventions — a red card for Jarell Quansah and a penalty — shaped a nervy second half.

Football Jul 6

Pochettino backs FIFA's Balogun ban suspension ahead of USA's last-16 clash with Belgium

FIFA has suspended Folarin Balogun's red card ban, clearing the USA's top scorer to face Belgium in Monday's World Cup last-16 tie in Seattle. Coach Mauricio Pochettino called the decision a victory for ethics and integrity, despite the move following a direct call from President Trump to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino.

Football Jul 6