Press conference news — SportsCatch

Castaño refuses to back down after Real Madrid publishes video attacking his commentary

Spanish broadcaster Juanma Castaño hit back on air after Real Madrid released a social-media video targeting his decade of work on El Partidazo de COPE, accusing club president Florentino Pérez of waging a personal crusade against him.

Football Sep 25

Hakimi sent to trial for rape: PSG faces unprecedented situation

France's Court of Cassation has confirmed that Achraf Hakimi will stand trial before the criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine. The PSG right-back, presumed innocent, has been accused of rape by a young woman since February 2023.

Football Sep 25

Carragher calls sacking Carrick 'ludicrous' despite Man United's joint-worst start

Jamie Carragher has urged Manchester United to keep faith with Michael Carrick despite the club's joint-worst Premier League start, which has left them 12th after a 1-1 draw at Fulham.

Football Sep 25

Carragher calls Carrick sacking 'ludicrous' despite United's poor start to the season

Jamie Carragher has defended Michael Carrick against calls for his dismissal after backlash to a Telegraph column, insisting it would be 'ludicrous' to sack him — while maintaining he sees Carrick as a short-term solution rather than a long-term appointment.

Football Sep 25

Jason Knight becomes first Ireland player to say Israel fixture should not go ahead

Derby County midfielder Jason Knight has broken ranks to declare the Republic of Ireland should not play Israel on Sunday in Debrecen, becoming the first squad member to publicly oppose the Nations League fixture amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

Football Sep 25

Kiss moves Suaalii to wing for Springboks clash as Paisami and Ikitau reunite in midfield

Wallabies coach Les Kiss has outlined the reasoning behind shifting Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the wing for the first time in Test rugby, citing aerial dominance and the chance to reunite Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau in the centres against South Africa in Perth.

Rugby Sep 25

Tension between Mbappé and Dembélé: France urged to clear the air before Turkey clash

At odds for weeks over the Ballon d'Or race, Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé are at the centre of a crisis meeting called for by several former French internationals, on the eve of the first match of Zinedine Zidane's era against Turkey.

Football Sep 25

Perez reveals Dumont confronted her in UFC PI bathroom ahead of Vegas 121 co-main

Ailin Perez has described a tense encounter with Norma Dumont at the UFC Performance Institute, where Dumont allegedly arrived at the bathroom with her team looking for Perez. The two meet in a women's bantamweight co-main event at UFC Vegas 121 on September 16.

MMA Sep 25

Silva's coach predicts striking spectacle as Brazilian targets historic UFC 332 flyweight title

Natalia Silva faces Cong Wang for the vacant UFC women's flyweight title at Delta Center in Salt Lake City on October 3. Coach Carlos Costa says both fighters are the division's two best strikers and expects Silva to become the first Brazilian female champion at 125 pounds.

MMA Sep 25

Ox Nche calls Springboks' 3-1 All Blacks series 'the hardest four weeks' of his career

Springboks prop Ox Nche has described the four-Test Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Series against the All Blacks as the most gruelling stretch of his career, having played more than 185 minutes across the series as South Africa sealed a 3-1 victory.

Rugby Sep 25

UFC debutant Osmanli calls Sean O'Malley 'easy' before throwing a single Octagon punch

Azerbaijani bantamweight Mehemmedali Osmanli, set to make his UFC debut on Sept. 26 against Ilimbek Akylbek Uulu, has already named former champion Sean O'Malley as an easy future opponent — before fighting a single round in the Octagon.

MMA Sep 25

Perez claims mental edge over Dumont ahead of UFC Vegas 121 co-main clash

Ailin Perez says she has already gotten inside Norma Dumont's head before their co-main event bout at UFC Vegas 121 on September 26, recalling a near-confrontation at the UFC Performance Institute and accusing the Brazilian of repeatedly ducking the fight.

MMA Sep 24

Garner says leaving Man Utd for Everton was key to earning his England debut

James Garner, who made just seven appearances for Manchester United before joining Everton permanently in 2022, has said he would not have reached the England squad had he stayed at Old Trafford. The midfielder has since made 125 appearances for the Toffees and earned his first Three Lions cap this year.

Football Sep 24

Gordon warns Premier League intensity is breaking England players down ahead of internationals

Anthony Gordon believes the relentless physical demands of the Premier League leave England's domestic players more vulnerable to injury than those playing abroad, as five players have already dropped out of Thomas Tuchel's latest squad.

Football Sep 24

Mbappé rules out playing for France until 41 like Ronaldo

Asked about Cristiano Ronaldo's international longevity, Kylian Mbappé ruled out a similar scenario for himself, arguing that French supporters will push him toward the exit well before his 40s.

Football Sep 24

Ronaldo starts for Portugal despite Jorge Jesus's warnings

Named Portugal manager, Jorge Jesus had warned that Ronaldo would not be untouchable. For the first UEFA Nations League match against Wales, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner nevertheless starts in the lineup.

Football Sep 24

James Garner on idolising Vidic, Everton versatility and earning his first England call-up

James Garner has opened up on his unlikely footballing hero Nemanja Vidic, his journey from centre-back to midfield anchor at Everton, and the moment he finally received a senior England call-up after missing Thomas Tuchel's initial selection.

Football Sep 24

Zidane Steps Back, Rabiot Confirms New Coach's Low-Key Philosophy

On the eve of Turkey-France in the Nations League, Adrien Rabiot described a deliberately understated Zinédine Zidane, keen to put his players in the spotlight rather than establish himself as a dominant figure.

Football Sep 24

Real Madrid TV rejects Juanma Castaño's apology over Gara comparison as row deepens

RMTV presenter Álvaro de la Lama has dismissed COPE journalist Juanma Castaño's apology for comparing the club channel to Basque publication Gara, arguing that Castaño's broader accusations of manipulation and dishonesty remained fully intact.

Football Sep 24

Tuchel backs 'full package' Kane to end England's 25-year Ballon d'Or wait

Thomas Tuchel has publicly endorsed Harry Kane as the deserving Ballon d'Or winner after the England captain scored 73 goals and won three trophies with Bayern Munich last season. Kane would be the first English player to claim the award since Michael Owen in 2001.

Football Sep 24