Press conference news — SportsCatch

Ronaldo walks out on Portugal squad after federation president and manager fail airport plea

Cristiano Ronaldo departed Portugal's Nations League camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday after federation president Pedro Proenca and manager Jorge Jesus failed to persuade him to stay, even pursuing him to the airport. The 41-year-old faces a potential one-to-six-month international ban under FPF disciplinary rules.

Football Oct 1

Sterling challenges Foster to fix MMA refereeing before banning oblique kicks

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has pushed back against California Athletic Commission Director Andy Foster's proposal to ban oblique kicks, arguing that poor referee accountability is a far more pressing problem in MMA.

MMA Oct 1

Hamilton backs Vasseur but questions Ferrari's upper management structure

Lewis Hamilton has defended Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur at the Bahrain Grand Prix while suggesting the broader management structure above him may need to be examined, as the Scuderia trails Mercedes by 160 points in the 2026 constructors' standings.

Formula 1 Oct 1

Ballon d'Or: Al-Khelaïfi backs Dembélé, Kvaratskhelia and Ruiz, Yamal favourite on prediction markets

At the ECA congress in Denmark, PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi voiced support for three Paris players for the Ballon d'Or while praising Mbappé and Yamal, the latter credited with 46% chances on prediction markets.

Football Oct 1

Rafael Leão inherits Ronaldo's iconic number 7 after Portugal departure

Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal's national team camp ahead of the Nations League trip to Denmark, and his legendary number 7 was immediately reassigned to Rafael Leão, fueling speculation about an imminent international retirement for the 41-year-old captain.

Football Oct 1

Klopp softens on Liverpool 'parade' talk after Man City found guilty of financial charges

Jurgen Klopp has walked back his earlier jokes about celebrating in Mallorca if Manchester City were stripped of Premier League titles, saying he feels no need for a 'bus parade' following Tuesday's guilty verdict against City.

Football Oct 1

Williamson handball gifts Paris FC penalty as Arsenal surrender two-goal Champions League lead

Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Paris FC in the Women's Champions League after Leah Williamson inadvertently handled the ball, conceding a penalty in the 87th minute. Manager Renee Slegers skipped the post-match press conference, reportedly too frustrated to face the media.

Football Oct 1

Leclerc deletes social media to escape 'silly' Vasseur rumours threatening Ferrari's serenity

Charles Leclerc has removed all social media apps from his phone to shut out speculation over Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur's future, admitting the rumours are damaging the team's internal harmony ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix.

Formula 1 Oct 1

Ronaldo walks out on Portugal after Jorge Jesus benches then ignores him

Cristiano Ronaldo has left the Portugal national team camp following a falling out with new head coach Jorge Jesus, who reneged on an agreement over Ronaldo's playing time and then publicly dismissed the row.

Football Oct 1

Tottenham chief backs De Zerbi despite winless start and bottom-place Premier League standing

Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham has publicly backed Roberto De Zerbi after Spurs collected just two points from five Premier League matches, citing encouraging underlying performances and the time needed for sweeping summer changes to take effect.

Football Oct 1

Ronaldo's sister declares Portugal 'don't deserve' him as his international future hangs in doubt

Cristiano Ronaldo left the Portugal camp early after being unused in the win over Norway, posting a statement confirming his departure. His sister Elma Aveiro has since launched a fierce social media attack on the national team and the Portuguese public.

Football Oct 1

Injured Mbappé spotted in Paris instead of Real Madrid training ground, reigniting controversy

Absent from France's Nations League squad due to a left knee hyperextension, Kylian Mbappé was photographed in Paris with actress Ester Exposito while he was supposed to be undergoing rehabilitation at Real Madrid's Valdebebas training centre.

Football Oct 1

Barnes defends Barrett's All Blacks recall as 'next best player' ahead of Bledisloe Cup

All Blacks senior assistant coach Neil Barnes has backed the selection of 145-cap Beauden Barrett in New Zealand's 34-man Bledisloe Cup squad, insisting the veteran playmaker earned his place on merit rather than reputation.

Rugby Oct 1

Unbeaten finisher Damian Pinas silences doubters ahead of UFC 332 middleweight clash

Damian Pinas, who has finished all 10 of his professional wins, says back-to-back UFC knockouts have earned him new respect heading into his October 3 bout against Andrey Pulyaev at UFC 332 in Salt Lake City.

MMA Oct 1

UFC 332 title challenger Cong Wang reveals Team Alpha Male sparring partners treat her 'like boys'

Cong Wang, who faces Natalia Silva for the vacant UFC women's flyweight title at UFC 332 on October 3, says her Team Alpha Male training partners quickly abandoned any restraint after experiencing her striking ability firsthand.

MMA Oct 1

Ronaldo Walks Out of Portugal Camp After Clash With Jorge Jesus

Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal's training camp in Copenhagen on Wednesday, refusing a substitute role imposed by manager Jorge Jesus. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner announced his decision on Instagram, promising to explain his reasons "in due course".

Football Oct 1

Ribovics sleeps in altitude chamber and arrives 10 days early to prepare for King Green at UFC 332

Argentine lightweight Esteban Ribovics has gone to unusual lengths ahead of his UFC 332 bout with King Green on October 3 in Salt Lake City, sleeping in a hypoxic chamber for weeks and arriving early to train in the mountains.

MMA Oct 1

Van and Kape trade crude personal jabs as UFC flyweight title fight looms

UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van and contender Manel Kape have escalated their rivalry on social media, exchanging pointed personal insults after Van's second successful title defence at UFC 331 on 19 September.

MMA Oct 1

Charged with Corruption, France's Trusted Security Chief Drags Zidane into Crisis

Mohamed Sanhadji, a trusted figure in the French national team for two decades and designated member of Zinedine Zidane's staff, was charged in September 2026 with corruption, money laundering, and fraud. He is accused of extorting over €300,000 from around fifteen international players.

Football Oct 1

Figueiredo takes full UFC 332 camp to Thailand to revive career against Talbott

Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo has based his entire preparation for his October 3 bantamweight bout with Payton Talbott at Phuket Fight Club in Thailand, sharpening his muay thai and grappling after losing four of his last five fights.

MMA Oct 1