Press conference news — SportsCatch

Jesus refuses to apologise as Ronaldo handed conditional Portugal recall offer

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus declared 'I don't apologise to anyone' when pressed over his handling of Cristiano Ronaldo, while confirming the 41-year-old will be considered for the next international break — but only if he wants to return.

Football Oct 5

Ronaldo walks out on Portugal at 41 with his international future unresolved

Cristiano Ronaldo has abruptly left the Portugal national team camp following a dispute with coach Jorge Jesus, leaving his international future uncertain. The 40-cap record holder departed on 146 goals and 234 caps, with no farewell fixture currently planned.

Football Oct 5

Israeli government compares Ireland to Nazi Germany after Nations League spitting row

The Israeli government invoked Ireland's 1939 salute to Nazi Germany in a social media post after Irish players bowed their heads during Israel's national anthem. A spitting allegation against an Israeli player added further tension to Sunday's 1-1 draw in Serbia.

Football Oct 5

Zidane concerned about his fullbacks after first three matches with France

After two victories against Turkey and Belgium and a draw against Italy, Zinédine Zidane reportedly expressed concerns about the fullback position to the French Football Federation's technical director, according to L'Équipe.

Football Oct 5

Jesus opens door for Ronaldo return after Portugal walk-out controversy

Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has said Cristiano Ronaldo is welcome back to the national squad after the 41-year-old walked out last week following an unused-substitute role in the Nations League win over Norway.

Football Oct 5

Jorge Jesus extends hand to Ronaldo but flatly refuses to apologize

After Portugal's qualification for the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals against Norway (2-1), manager Jorge Jesus reaffirmed his intention to recall Cristiano Ronaldo while vehemently rejecting any idea of apologizing for leaving him on the bench.

Football Oct 5

Ireland coach alleges spitting as Israel 'tried to intimidate' in fractious Nations League draw

Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson accused Israel of attempting to intimidate his side from kick-off in a tense 1-1 Nations League draw in Serbia, with Irish coaching staff member Damien Doyle alleging he was spat at during a half-time confrontation.

Football Oct 5

Unbeaten Wint calls out Sharaf after UFC 332 TKO, eyes Madison Square Garden showdown

Anthony Wint improved to 9-0 with a 23-second TKO of Lucas Armand at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, then immediately called out Sean Sharaf — the man who knocked out Gable Steveson in 12 seconds — targeting UFC 334 at Madison Square Garden.

MMA Oct 5

Benched at Barcelona and with France, Koundé accepts the challenge and vows to bounce back

Started only twice in La Liga this season and overtaken by Pierre Kalulu in the France squad, Jules Koundé acknowledged in a press conference that his demotion is a direct consequence of a season below his standards.

Football Oct 5

Ronaldo sulking, Portugal extends olive branch before November

After Cristiano Ronaldo's early departure from the Portugal camp following his benching against Norway, manager Jorge Jesus and Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença have both left the door open for his return in November.

Football Oct 5

Portugal strings together four straight wins without Ronaldo, Jorge Jesus closes the debate

Deprived of Cristiano Ronaldo for the fourth time in as many matches, the Seleção dominated Norway thanks to Gonçalo Ramos and João Cancelo. Manager Jorge Jesus then firmly rejected any idea of apologizing to CR7.

Football Oct 5

Jorge Jesus tells Ronaldo his Portugal future rests entirely in his own hands

Portugal manager Jorge Jesus has placed the decision over Cristiano Ronaldo's international future squarely with the 41-year-old, after the forward left the national camp following a fallout over his substitute role in their 2-1 win away to Norway.

Football Oct 5

Cherki denies reports of tensions in France squad dressing room

Targeted by an L'Équipe article reporting friction with his teammates, including Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki publicly denied the information on X, calling it an "invention".

Football Oct 5

Ribovics clarifies post-fight outburst after TKO of Green at UFC 332 was aimed at boxer Barboza

Esteban Ribovics stopped King Green with a first-round TKO at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City, dropping him three times. His post-fight trash talk, it turns out, was directed not at Green but at professional boxer Arnold Barboza Jr. following a hotel altercation the day before.

MMA Oct 5

Barrett returns for Bledisloe after watching All Blacks' set-piece struggles from the couch

Scott Barrett is set to rejoin the All Blacks for the Bledisloe Cup series against Australia after missing the South Africa Tests through surgery. The lock acknowledged the scrum was a problem area but cautioned that fixing it is no overnight task.

Rugby Oct 5

All Blacks scrum coach Ryan admits hard self-reflection after 3-1 Springboks series defeat

Jason Ryan has acknowledged personal accountability following the All Blacks' 3-1 series loss to the Springboks, identifying opposition scrum penalties as a key area to address ahead of the Bledisloe Cup clash with an unbeaten Wallabies side.

Rugby Oct 5

Shannon Frizell 'fully selectable' for All Blacks after Japan return, says Jason Ryan

All Blacks assistant coach Jason Ryan has confirmed loose-forward Shannon Frizell is available for selection against the Wallabies at Eden Park, declaring the 32-year-old has returned from Japan in strong physical shape after three warm-up games for Tasman.

Rugby Oct 5

Ireland fitness coach alleges Israeli player spat at him during Nations League half-time tunnel confrontation

Fitness coach Damien Doyle was allegedly spat at by an unnamed Israeli player as both teams headed to the tunnel at half-time of Sunday's Nations League clash, which ended 1-1. Spanish referee Juan Martínez Munuera intervened to separate the two camps but is understood not to have witnessed the incident.

Football Oct 4

Zidane set to start Restes in goal against Belgium on Monday

For the fourth and final match of the gathering, Zinédine Zidane is considering rotating even at goalkeeper: Guillaume Restes could replace Mike Maignan against Belgium at Stade de France.

Football Oct 4

Vieira defends Koulibaly and Gueye by rebuking journalist after Senegal-Comoros

After Senegal's 1-0 friendly victory over Comoros at the Vélodrome, Patrick Vieira sharply criticized a journalist who described Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gueye as "has-beens".

Football Oct 4