Press conference news — SportsCatch

Ronaldo issues ultimatum to Portugal federation over new coach Jorge Jesus

Cristiano Ronaldo has threatened to refuse international duty with Portugal for as long as Jorge Jesus remains coach, according to ESPN, after walking out of the national team's training camp last week.

Football Oct 6

McFarland demands more physicality as winless Newcastle face Exeter in Premiership survival test

Newcastle Red Bulls head coach Dan McFarland has admitted his side's physicality is 'not close' to where it needs to be, ahead of a Gallagher Premiership clash with Exeter Chiefs — a team also without a win after two rounds.

Rugby Oct 6

Ronaldo issues ultimatum: return to Portugal only if Jorge Jesus leaves

Cristiano Ronaldo has set a non-negotiable condition for a return to the Portuguese national team: the departure of manager Jorge Jesus, who left him on the bench without bringing him on against Norway on September 27.

Football Oct 6

Lineker warns Rice his England starting spot is no longer guaranteed after Scott's debut

Gary Lineker believes Declan Rice's place in the England midfield is under genuine threat after Alex Scott delivered a commanding debut in the Three Lions' 7-0 win over Croatia, with Thomas Tuchel now facing a selection dilemma.

Football Oct 6

Mapletoft names England A coaching staff for Argentina XV clash in Bath

Mark Mapletoft has confirmed the coaching team for England A's match against Argentina XV at The Rec on November 6, retaining the core staff from last season's programme.

Rugby Oct 6

UEFA opens disciplinary probe after Israel player allegedly spat at Ireland fitness coach

UEFA has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate an alleged spitting incident involving an Israel player and Republic of Ireland fitness coach Damien Doyle during the half-time interval of Sunday's 1-1 Nations League draw in Backa Topola, Serbia.

Football Oct 6

Guardiola 'will move mountains' to clear his name after Man City's guilty verdict

Pep Guardiola's former Brescia team-mate Stephen Appiah says the ex-City manager will be deeply unsettled by the Premier League guilty verdict and will relentlessly seek answers to protect a legacy now under scrutiny.

Football Oct 6

Matt Brown backs Hokit's UFC 334 title shot but names Volkov as true deserving contender

Retired welterweight Matt Brown has defended Josh Hokit's rapid rise to a UFC heavyweight title shot against Ciryl Gane at UFC 334, while conceding that Alexander Volkov has a stronger claim on merit. Brown also warned Hokit his trash talk is approaching a line that could alienate fans.

MMA Oct 6

Pollock confirms LA28 Olympic ambition but Great Britain face qualification battle

Northampton Saints flanker Henry Pollock has openly declared his desire to represent Great Britain Sevens at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, citing Antoine Dupont's Paris gold as inspiration — though GB men must first fight their way back onto the main SVNS circuit after relegation.

Rugby Oct 6

UEFA opens disciplinary investigation into spitting allegation from Ireland vs Israel Nations League clash

UEFA has appointed an ethics and disciplinary inspector to investigate an allegation that an Israel player spat on a Republic of Ireland staff member during their ill-tempered 1-1 Nations League draw in Backa Topola, Serbia on 4 October 2026.

Football Oct 6

Lizarazu abandons TF1 studio live to greet Zidane after France-Belgium

On Monday evening on TF1, Bixente Lizarazu left his consultant position during the post-match show to go greet Zinedine Zidane, present at Stade de France as the new France manager.

Football Oct 6

Haaland injury and Tuchel row cast shadow over FIFA's three-week international break experiment

A wave of high-profile Premier League injuries and Manchester City's anger at Thomas Tuchel's handling of Erling Haaland have intensified the debate over FIFA's extended three-week international break, with clubs and player unions questioning the toll on elite footballers.

Football Oct 6

Ronaldo refuses to return to Portugal squad while Jorge Jesus remains manager

Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly given an ultimatum to the Portuguese Football Federation: he will not rejoin the Seleção as long as Jorge Jesus remains manager, after being left on the bench against Norway.

Football Oct 6

Rabiot warms up without boots and 'drives Zidane's staff crazy' against Belgium

Brought on in the 88th minute during France's 4-1 victory over Belgium in the Nations League, Adrien Rabiot irritated Zinedine Zidane and his staff by warming up late and without his football boots.

Football Oct 6

Verstappen calls for V8 return and IndyCar-style boost to replace DRS in Formula 1

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen has called for Formula 1 to ditch its hybrid V6 engines in favour of naturally aspirated V8s, and replace the DRS overtaking aid with an IndyCar-style manual push-to-pass system.

Formula 1 Oct 6

Rabiot sidelined as Da Cunha and Camavinga establish themselves after 4-1 win over Belgium

France's commanding 4-1 victory over Belgium on Monday at Stade de France has reignited debate over the midfield: Riolo and Petit agree on sidelining Rabiot in favour of Da Cunha and Camavinga.

Football Oct 6

Umaga warns All Blacks must adapt as Kiss stamps his mark on resurgent Wallabies

All Blacks defence coach Tana Umaga has acknowledged Australia's tactical evolution under Les Kiss ahead of the Bledisloe Cup opener in Auckland, warning New Zealand must adjust to a wider, more expansive Wallabies attack.

Rugby Oct 6

Tuchel expresses sympathy for struggling Sterling as winger runs youth academy without a club

England manager Thomas Tuchel has spoken warmly of Raheem Sterling, saying the 31-year-old has been in a 'downward spiral' since leaving Manchester City. Sterling, currently without a club, is channelling his energy into running his RS7 Football Academy.

Football Oct 6

Zidane identifies France's recurring weakness after four Nations League matches

Despite three victories and a draw in this first gathering, Zinedine Zidane highlighted a lack of presence in the box and verticality in the final 20-30 metres as a priority area for improvement.

Football Oct 6

Umaga urges All Blacks defensive response after three straight Springbok defeats

All Blacks defence coach Tana Umaga has called on his side to rediscover their defensive edge ahead of the 2026 Bledisloe Cup opener against the Wallabies at Eden Park, admitting three consecutive losses to the Springboks — conceding an average of 35 points — is something he cannot recall happening in his lifetime.

Rugby Oct 6