Press conference news — SportsCatch

Erasmus accepts blame after Springboks squander 25-point lead in Perth thriller

Rassie Erasmus refused to blame officiating chaos or fatigue after South Africa's 42-38 defeat to Australia in Perth, admitting his side played themselves into a 25-point hole and that the better team won on the night.

Rugby Sep 27

Zidane announces several changes for France-Belgium without injured Mbappé

Absent with a knee injury, Kylian Mbappé will not play against Belgium on Tuesday (20:45). Zinedine Zidane confirmed he wants to rotate his squad, with Doué, Lepaul, Da Cunha and Jacquet among those in contention for a starting spot.

Football Sep 27

Leclerc admits Red Bull and McLaren upgrades have left Ferrari scrambling for pace

Charles Leclerc conceded Ferrari is losing ground after rivals Red Bull and McLaren brought substantial upgrade packages to Baku, with the Monegasque finishing a distant fourth in the Azerbaijan Grand Prix despite starting from the front row.

Formula 1 Sep 27

Dembélé disappoints as striker against Turkey, set to captain France against Belgium

Ousmane Dembélé delivered a disappointing performance when deployed as a striker by Zinédine Zidane in France's Nations League opener against Turkey on Friday. He is nonetheless expected to wear the captain's armband against Belgium in the absence of Mbappé.

Football Sep 27

Lizarazu crowns Olise best of the three, Mbappé « out of sorts » despite his goal

After France's victory in Turkey (0-1) in Zidane's debut on the bench, Bixente Lizarazu ranked Michael Olise ahead of Dembélé and Mbappé, judging the captain « out of sorts » on the left wing despite his decisive goal.

Football Sep 27

Rees-Zammit and Randall each score twice as Bristol edge Sale in Prem opener

Bristol Bears launched their Premiership season with a 34-24 bonus-point win at Sale, with Louis Rees-Zammit and Harry Randall both crossing twice. Director of rugby Pat Lam praised a collective effort, while Sale's Courtney Lawes marked his Sharks debut with a full 80 minutes.

Rugby Sep 27

Tuchel admits City players may have discussed 115 charges but felt no distraction in Spain defeat

England manager Thomas Tuchel says he never raised Manchester City's guilty verdicts with his players during the international camp, but acknowledged City trio Marc Guehi, Nico O'Reilly and Elliot Anderson likely talked among themselves after the landmark ruling.

Football Sep 27

Snubbed by Wales this summer, Cracknell channels his frustration into Leicester's new season

Leicester flanker Olly Cracknell has revealed that being dropped from the Wales touring squad by head coach Steve Tandy has given him renewed motivation heading into the new club season, despite having featured in the Six Nations earlier this year.

Rugby Sep 27

Willemse warns Springboks are the team everyone wants to beat at Rugby World Cup 2027

Damian Willemse has acknowledged South Africa carry a target on their backs as back-to-back world champions heading into Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, where the Springboks are chasing an unprecedented third consecutive title.

Rugby Sep 27

Tuchel shuts down reporter's Gordon question after England's 3-2 Nations League defeat to Spain

Thomas Tuchel gave a blunt, wry response when asked whether Anthony Gordon's goal represented England's blueprint for success, following a 3-2 Nations League loss to Spain at Wembley.

Football Sep 26

Mourinho's Madrid sit six points off Barcelona after derby collapse exposes midfield crisis

Real Madrid's 2-1 defeat at Atlético Madrid on Sunday leaves José Mourinho's side fourth in La Liga, six points behind Barcelona, with club sources privately admitting the midfield problems that plagued last season have resurfaced.

Football Sep 26

Keane and Wright demand City stripped of titles after guilty verdict on 114 charges

Roy Keane and Ian Wright called for Manchester City to be severely punished after an independent panel found the club guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League financial rules, with both pundits insisting titles should be taken away.

Football Sep 26

Tuchel explains why Trafford starts ahead of Pickford for England against Spain

Thomas Tuchel handed James Trafford the England goalkeeper shirt for Saturday's Nations League clash with Spain at Wembley, citing the 22-year-old's increased game time at Leeds United since joining in the summer.

Football Sep 26

Vasseur fires back at Ferrari exit rumours by pointing to Horner's job hunt

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has dismissed persistent speculation about his future, quipping that Christian Horner "is looking for a job" after the former Red Bull boss publicly floated the idea of taking over at Maranello.

Formula 1 Sep 26

Norway shield Haaland from press duties as Solbakken cites Man City verdict distraction

Norway head coach Stale Solbakken has confirmed Erling Haaland was excused from the national team's pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's Nations League clash with Portugal, citing the need to protect the striker from questions about Manchester City's guilty verdict on 114 of 115 Premier League charges.

Football Sep 26

Zidane Misses Opening Notes of La Marseillaise in Turkey Debut

During his first match as France manager on Friday evening in Turkey, Zinédine Zidane missed the opening notes of the national anthem, which he said was launched too quickly. A minor protocol slip that reignites an old debate about the new manager's relationship with La Marseillaise.

Football Sep 26

FAI confirms Ireland vs Israel Nations League match will proceed after squad vote

The Football Association of Ireland has confirmed Sunday's Nations League fixture against Israel in Hungary will go ahead, following a majority vote among the Republic of Ireland squad. The decision comes after a delayed press conference and training session plunged the game into doubt.

Football Sep 26

Haaland shielded from press as Man City's guilty verdict dominates Norway camp

Norway head coach Stale Solbakken confirmed Erling Haaland was excused from a pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's Nations League clash with Portugal, with the decision made to protect the striker's focus following Manchester City's guilty verdict on 114 of their 115 Premier League charges.

Football Sep 26

Briatore blasts Colapinto's 'very poor move' after Baku crash wipes out both Alpine drivers

Alpine executive Flavio Briatore has condemned Franco Colapinto's lap-36 restart collision at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, which eliminated both Colapinto and team-mate Pierre Gasly — and also collected Lando Norris — costing Alpine a likely double points finish.

Formula 1 Sep 26

Briatore blasts Colapinto for 'very poor move' that gifted Alpine a Baku double DNF

Alpine executive Flavio Briatore has publicly criticised Franco Colapinto after the Argentinian locked up under braking on a lap 36 restart in Baku, slamming into team-mate Pierre Gasly and collecting Lando Norris to end all three drivers' races.

Formula 1 Sep 26