Press conference news — SportsCatch

Ex-Springboks coach Mallett slams Borthwick for benching Pollock in 45-21 Ellis Park defeat

Nick Mallett, the former Springboks head coach, has criticised Steve Borthwick for failing to start 21-year-old Henry Pollock against South Africa, arguing England's back row was weaker for it in a 45-21 loss at Ellis Park.

Rugby Jul 6

Garcia calls it an April Fool's joke as FIFA reinstates Balogun for USA vs Belgium

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia was left stunned after FIFA rescinded Folarin Balogun's red-card suspension, making the USA striker available for Monday's round of 16 clash in Seattle. U.S. boss Mauricio Pochettino, by contrast, was all smiles at his press conference.

Football Jul 6

Garcia brands Balogun ban reversal an 'April Fools' as Belgium rage at FIFA ruling

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia has publicly condemned FIFA's decision to overturn Folarin Balogun's one-game suspension, freeing the Monaco forward to face Belgium in the World Cup round of 16 in Seattle.

Football Jul 5

Neville, Keane and Wright savage Gabriel after Haaland header ends Brazil's World Cup

Gary Neville, Roy Keane and Ian Wright tore into Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes after Erling Haaland scored twice — including an unchallenged header — to eliminate Brazil from the World Cup at the hands of Norway.

Football Jul 5

Leclerc seals Ferrari's 250th grand prix win at Silverstone, where it all began in 1951

Charles Leclerc won the 2026 British Grand Prix at Silverstone to deliver Ferrari's 250th Formula 1 victory, with president John Elkann on the pitlane to witness the landmark result at the very circuit where the team claimed its first win 75 years ago.

Formula 1 Jul 5

Balogun's FIFA reprieve fires up 'USA vs. the world' narrative ahead of Belgium clash

FIFA has lifted Folarin Balogun's automatic red card suspension, clearing the United States' leading scorer to face Belgium in the World Cup Round of 16. Analyst Alexi Lalas welcomed the ruling but warned it will fuel perceptions of special treatment for the co-hosts.

Football Jul 5

Ronaldo confirms 2026 World Cup will be his last as Portugal face Spain

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced that the 2026 World Cup will be his final tournament with Portugal. The 41-year-old made the admission at a press conference ahead of his side's round of 16 clash against Spain.

Football Jul 5

Smith brands England 'soft' after 45-21 mauling hands Boks fifth straight Test win

Fly-half Fin Smith admitted England were 'soft' in defence and missed too many tackles as South Africa ran out 45-21 winners at Ellis Park on Saturday, extending England's losing run to five consecutive Tests.

Rugby Jul 5

2026 World Cup: Paraguay denounces 'theft' after VAR penalty that eliminated them

Beaten 1-0 by France on a Kylian Mbappé penalty awarded after VAR intervention, Paraguay is crying foul. Press, coach and supporters all point to video refereeing as solely responsible for their elimination.

Football Jul 5

Antonelli seizes fifth pole of 2026 at Silverstone as Wolff hails teenager's greatness traits

Kimi Antonelli claimed his fifth pole position of the 2026 season at the British Grand Prix, beating Charles Leclerc by nearly two tenths, hours after overtaking Lewis Hamilton to win the Silverstone sprint. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says the 19-year-old shows every trait of a future all-time great.

Formula 1 Jul 5

Townsend credits painful Pumas collapse for Scotland's scintillating 47-38 revenge in Córdoba

Scotland ran in seven tries to defeat Argentina 47-38 in Córdoba, opening their Nations Championship campaign in style. Head coach Gregor Townsend said last autumn's humiliating home collapse against the same opposition had proved a turning point for the squad.

Rugby Jul 5

Tuchel dismisses security fears and praises Mexico fans ahead of Azteca last-16 clash

Thomas Tuchel has played down concerns over disruption to England's World Cup preparations in Mexico City, calling the reception from local fans 'friendly and respectful' despite Fifa deploying National Guard and riot police around the team's hotel.

Football Jul 5

Mbappe penalty seals France's scrappy 1-0 win over 'dirty' Paraguay at World Cup

Kylian Mbappe converted a second-half penalty to send France into the World Cup quarter-finals against Morocco, but the 1-0 win was overshadowed by Paraguay's cynical tactics and a chaotic full-time flashpoint.

Football Jul 5

Verstappen rules out Red Bull revival as power struggles leave him seventh at Silverstone

Max Verstappen qualified seventh at Silverstone after a power unit issue compounded Red Bull's underlying pace deficit, and the four-time champion now expects the team to suffer at Spa and Monza too — ruling out a repeat of last year's second-half comeback.

Formula 1 Jul 5

Tuchel dismisses Viagra altitude claims as England prepare for Mexico City test

England head coach Thomas Tuchel has played down reports that his players could use Viagra to cope with the altitude at Mexico City's Azteca Stadium, ahead of Monday's World Cup clash with Mexico at 2,200 metres above sea level.

Football Jul 5

Paraguay coach Alfaro denies staff insulted Deschamps over late mother after ill-tempered France defeat

Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro has pushed back against claims that insults targeting Didier Deschamps and his late mother were directed from the South American bench. Kylian Mbappé's second-half penalty sent France into the World Cup quarter-finals.

Football Jul 5

Henderson admits altitude bite but insists England will find solutions against Mexico

Jordan Henderson acknowledged feeling the effects of Mexico City's 2,400-metre elevation during England's final training session on Saturday, but said the squad would not use conditions as an excuse ahead of their World Cup last-16 clash at the Azteca Stadium.

Football Jul 5

Deschamps denounces insults targeting his late mother, Paraguay categorically denies

After France's 1-0 victory over Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup round of 16, Didier Deschamps reported hearing insults from the bench. According to RMC, some remarks may have targeted his recently deceased mother. Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro flatly denies the allegations.

Football Jul 5

Love impresses on All Blacks No.10 debut as New Zealand edge France 34-32

Ruben Love delivered a composed first start at fly-half for the All Blacks despite a second-minute yellow card, helping New Zealand overturn a 10-5 deficit to beat France 34-32, with coach Scott Rennie and captain Ardie Savea both praising the 25-year-old's performance.

Rugby Jul 5

Schmidt backs Gordon and Donaldson despite narrow Nations Championship loss to Ireland

Joe Schmidt has praised fly-halves Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson following Australia's 33-31 Nations Championship defeat to Ireland in Sydney, insisting both playmakers contributed positively despite the narrow loss.

Rugby Jul 5