Press conference
Manager / player media briefings.
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Hallgrimsson confirms Ireland will face Israel again despite protests and FAI resignation calls
Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has confirmed the team will fulfil Sunday's Nations League return fixture against Israel in Serbia, saying he must 'focus on football' as political pressure mounts on the FAI.
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Sanderson and Baxter warn lifting England's overseas ban would devastate the Premiership
Sale Sharks head coach Alex Sanderson and Exeter Chiefs boss Rob Baxter have both argued that allowing overseas-based players to represent England would undermine the Gallagher Premiership's competitiveness and accelerate the exodus of top talent to France.
Rugby -
O'Mahony names Farrell the best coach of his career ahead of Erasmus
Peter O'Mahony has declared Andy Farrell the finest coach he ever worked under, calling him the 'complete package', while still praising Rassie Erasmus for his technical and motivational qualities during their time together at Munster.
Rugby -
Hallgrimsson confirms Ireland will play second Israel Nations League fixture despite widespread boycott
Republic of Ireland head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson has confirmed his side will fulfil the FAI's obligation to face Israel again in the Nations League on Sunday, despite fan protests, pub boycotts and goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu withdrawing from the squad on personal grounds.
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Zidane as manager: Koné confirms a change of method that's doing the Blues good
Two matches, two victories, zero goals conceded. Midfielder Manu Koné detailed Wednesday the first weeks of Zinédine Zidane at the helm of the France team, praising his closeness to players and his return to the 4-3-3 formation.
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Tuchel backs Bellingham to become permanent England captain after Prague armband moment
Thomas Tuchel has endorsed Jude Bellingham as a future permanent England captain after the Real Madrid midfielder wore the armband at the end of the 2-0 Nations League win over Czechia in Prague — the second time in four days he finished a match as skipper.
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PFA chief backs Cole Palmer over England absences, calls football calendar 'sick'
PFA chief executive Maheta Molango has defended Cole Palmer after Thomas Tuchel criticised the Chelsea playmaker for missing too many England camps, arguing Palmer is a victim of an overloaded fixture schedule rather than a lack of commitment.
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Ronaldo boycotts Portugal training, emergency crisis meeting called
Left on the bench against Norway for the first time in nearly twenty years, Cristiano Ronaldo walked out of the collective training session in Malmö without participating. The Portuguese Football Federation president cancelled his commitments to fly to Denmark and attempt to defuse the crisis.
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Overlooked by Deschamps despite City form, Laporte explains his choice to play for Spain
Called up three times by France without ever taking the field, Aymeric Laporte reveals that Didier Deschamps "did not count on me at all," which pushed him to opt for Spain in 2021, with whom he has since won the UEFA Nations League and Euro.
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Ex-NFL linebacker Wint unbothered by UFC spotlight ahead of UFC 332 clash
Undefeated middleweight Anthony Wint says his time with the New York Jets left him immune to the celebrity culture of the UFC. The 8-0 prospect faces Lucas Armand at UFC 332 on October 3 in Salt Lake City.
MMA -
Dana White pins boxing pushback on UK figures as Fury vs Joshua nears
UFC CEO Dana White claims British boxing insiders are driving resistance to his co-promotional role in the Tyson Fury vs Anthony Joshua fight, dismissing the opposition as an 'ego thing' from a sport that has become primarily British.
MMA -
Marine veteran Eric Nolan vows to end UFC losing streak for fellow servicemembers at UFC 332
Eric Nolan, a former US Marine who served from 2015 to 2019, faces Court McGhee in a welterweight bout at UFC 332 on 3 October in Salt Lake City, seeking his first Octagon win after two straight defeats.
MMA -
McGhee claims UFC has sidelined him with weaker opponents since Petr Yan defeat
Marcus McGhee says the UFC has been "pushing him back" with lower-level matchups ever since his unanimous decision loss to Petr Yan, who went on to win the bantamweight title. McGhee returns at UFC 332 on 3 October against Bernardo Sopai.
MMA -
Dana White confirms Fury vs. Joshua role but skips London press conference over 'total ego' row
UFC CEO Dana White insists he is firmly part of the Fury vs. Joshua December promotion despite weeks of public dispute with Eddie Hearn, calling the ongoing delay a 'total ego thing' rooted in British boxing politics.
MMA -
Alexander-Arnold's half-time message to Gordon unlocks Czech Republic on England return
Trent Alexander-Arnold ended a near two-year England absence by assisting Anthony Gordon's opener in a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic in Prague, revealing a half-time tactical conversation sparked the decisive moment.
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Wang Cong backs herself for UFC 332 flyweight title shot despite contender queue
Wang Cong says she was not surprised to receive a UFC 332 flyweight title shot ahead of higher-profile contenders, citing her four-fight win streak and readiness to compete on just 17 days' notice for the vacant belt against Natalia Silva.
MMA -
Saracens rename Brendan Venter 'wine consultant' to dodge media-duty fines
Saracens have rebranded director of rugby Brendan Venter as 'head of rugby culture and wine consultant' in an attempt to sidestep Premiership regulations requiring him to speak to the press, after fines for his media absences reached £8,000.
Rugby -
Laporte accuses Deschamps of not backing him before choosing Spain
At 32, Aymeric Laporte reflects on his international switch and points to Didier Deschamps' lack of confidence as the main reason for his move to Spain, with whom he has since won the World Cup, the Euros and the Nations League.
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Pochettino says no punishment can repair damage of Man City's 114 proven breaches
Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has declared that no sanction can undo the harm caused by Manchester City's 114 proven Premier League financial breaches, while also questioning why the league's financial controls were so inconsistently applied.
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Aguirre apologises to Gordon for World Cup expletive and asks him to sign a photo
Javier Aguirre has personally apologised to Anthony Gordon for telling him 'F*** you' during England's 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico, explaining the remark as a heat-of-the-moment reaction. Now Valencia manager, Aguirre revealed he may ask Gordon to sign a photo of the incident for his children.
Football
Argentina U17 W