More stories

  • in

    Roy Keane left emotional on ITV as Man Utd hardman reveals ‘it’s nice to be recognised’

    MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane has admitted that he felt “emotional” after winning a prestigious award.The 53-year-old was named Pundit of the Year at the British Sports Journalism Awards on Monday.Roy Keane has admitted he felt emotional after finding out he had been named Pundit of the Year while on ITV SportCredit: ITVKeane was covering England vs Latvia when he found out he won the awardCredit: AlamyKeane has continued to be a regular on Sky Sports this season, covering the Premier League on a weekly basis.He also covers international football for ITV Sport and featured several times on ITV1 during Euro 2024 last summer.Away from television, he appears on the Stick to Football podcast every week alongside Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Ian Wright and Jill Scott.And in the latest episode of the podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, he admitted it was “nice to be recognised” for his work.READ MORE ON MAN UTDKeane said: “I feel quite emotional at winning the Pundit of the Year award at the Sports Journalists’ Association Awards.”It’s nice being recognised but I don’t have the ego about wanting to win the award – it’s all about working as a team and we’re a team on the podcast, and I’m also part of a team at Sky Sports.”Keane was working as a pundit on ITV1 for England vs Latvia when he was named Pundit of the Year at the SJA awards and therefore could not receive his trophy in person.The Man Utd icon also showed his soft side when discussing his family on the podcast.Most read in FootballJoin SUN CLUB for the Man Utd Files every Thursday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from Old TraffordHis daughter, Caragh, was a special guest on this week’s episode.Discussing his relationship with his five kids, he admitted: “I miss them when they’re away.”Roy Keane shows soft side in moment with daughter who suffers from incurable illness Caragh appeared on the podcast to talk about her business, Superkeen.Having been diagnosed with lupus, a chronic autoimmune condition, at the age of 25, she launched the health company in a bid to help others in the same position.Her cereal includes non-processed ingredients that are beneficial for gut health.Reflecting on how the business came about, Keane said of Caragh: “When you started you asked me to support you, I said ‘Yeah go for it girl’.”Then we set up a business meeting… ‘Can I have some money daddy?’ That was the business meeting!”I said yeah, take it, whatever you need. It was more than what I thought to get a company up and running, it’s been hard work.” More

  • in

    Who is Michael Schumacher’s brother Ralf? F1 driver turned Sky Sports commentator 

    THE name Schumacher rings a massive bell in motorsport – but seven-time champion Michael isn’t the only one in the family to have don an Formula One overall.While Michael Schumacher dominated F1 for a decade and a half, his brother Ralf was also a factor on the grid at the time.Ralf Schumacher spent a decade racing in F1Credit: GettyThe Schumacher brothers are the only siblings to have both won Formula 1 races in the sport’s historyCredit: GettyRalf Schumacher still works in the sportCredit: GettyRalf may have been the inferior driver throughout the pair’s time, but he still managed to have a very good career in the sport.Although they were never team-mates, the siblings are the most successful family pairing in F1 as the only siblings to have both won races in the sport’s history.Career on the tracksBorn and raised in North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany, Ralf is the second son of Rolf Schumacher, a bricklayer, and his wife Elisabeth.He started karting in his formative years and was a prodigious racer in junior karting.READ MORE IN F1He won the NRW Cup, the Gold Cup and German Junior Kart Championship across two years before moving up to senior level, where he finished runner-up. Ralf later finished third in the 1994 German Formula 3 Championship which catapulted him into the Formula Nippon Series, driving for the Team Le Mans.He was the first driver to clinch the championship in his rookie season.A spot in F1 was inevitable and after testing with McLaren in the autumn of 1996, Schumacher signed a three-year contract to drive for Eddie Jordan’s team, Jordan.Most read in MotorsportThe following season he would secure the first podium of his career in Argentina with a third-place finish.The arrival of Damon Hill in the 1998 season would complicate Schumacher’s relationship with Jordan as a team orders scenario denied him his first race win.Older brother Michael then bought him out of his £2million contract, with Mick then joining Williams. He finished the 1999 season sixth and was rewarded with a three-year deal worth £31m – despite a campaign littered with race retirements.His six-year association with the Oxfordshire-based team saw five wins, two fourth-place finishes and two fifth-place finishes.Ralf’s final season with the team, 2004, saw him race just 12 times and finish only ninth in the standings.He next signed a three-year deal with Japanese manufacturer Toyota, finishing sixth in his first season but then slipping down to 10th and 16th.Attempts to return back to the sport, notably with Red Bull sister team Toro Rosso, and Force India never materialised.A stint in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) series – return back to sports car racing – would merely signal official retirement from competitive racing, which came in 2012. Post-racing venturesFollowing his retirement from active motorsport in March 2013, Schumacher remained within the industry. He took up a management role at auto racing Mucke Motorsport which sees him assists in the mentoring of young drivers signed with Mercedes-Benz.In 2019, Schumacher became a pundit and co-commentator at Formula One races for Sky Sports Germany.Personal lifeSchumacher was married to German model and media personalty Cora-Caroline Brinkman. The pair giving birth to their son David a couple weeks after marriage in October 2001.David now also competes in motorsport with Haupt Racing Team.READ MORE SUN STORIESSchumacher married on October 2001 in a private civil ceremony at the couple’s home in AustriaCredit: GettySchumacher first shared he was gay when he took to social media to share the storyCredit: InstagramHowever, the two would divorce after an acrimonious period of separation in 2015. Nine years on, Schumacher announced on social media that he has been in a same-sex relationship with his partner of two years, 34-year-old Etienne Bousquet-Cassagne. More

  • in

    Roy Keane wins prestigious award immediately after ITV pundit appearance for England’s win over Latvia

    ROY KEANE has been named Pundit of the Year at the Sports Journalists’ Association Awards. The Manchester United legend won the gong just hours after going live on ITV for England’s game with Latvia. Roy Keane has scooped Pundit of the Year at the Sports Journalists Association awardsCredit: ITV SportThe 53-year-old is a regular on both ITV and Sky SportsCredit: AlamyKeane joined colleagues Mark Pougatch and Ian Wright to discuss the Three Lions’ 3-0 win at the Home of Football on Monday.The 53-year-old – who also appears on Sky Sports – is known for his fiery on-air punditry and refusal to back down from a debate. SJA’s Pundit of the Year award was chosen this year by a members’ vote.Wright, Ally McCoist, Emma Hayes, Michael Holding, Gary Neville and Osi Umenyiora have previously taken the crown. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLKeane won the vote to see off competition from nine other pundits including talkSPORT’s McCoist and Sky’s Jamie Carragher. One fan wrote on X in response: “Congratulations. One of the few pundits left who tells honest opinions based on fact, and doesn’t sugarcoat things.”Another said: “One of the very few proper ones left now.”While a third joked: “That’s his job you don’t congratulate the postman for putting letters through the postbox.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd a fourth added: “One of the few worth listening to. Well deserved, and I’m a Leeds fan.”Kelly Cates, who presents Premier League football for Sky and will soon host Match of the Day, claimed the prize for Presenter of the Year.Roy Keane leaves Ian Wright laughing after ITV pundit’s joke about Thomas Tuchel following England’s win over Latvia While the BBC’s Chris Jones won the award for Best Commentator.Keane was in typically combative form as he analysed Thomas Tuchel’s first two games as England boss on Monday night. The Three Lions were in cruise control at Wembley as they saw off Albania on Friday and Latvia four days later.But Keane wasn’t impressed with what he saw – and believes England should have been more ruthless. The 53-year-old said: “If this was a school report, you’d give him a would be a C+.Roy Keane’s angriest momentsWhat really ticks off Roy Keane?The Irishman is known for his no-nonsense approach to football.And some particular things really do get on Keane’s wick.It all makes for great entertainment for fans, who love the Man United legend’s take on the beautiful game.But is Keane being a bit too sensitive himself?From smiling players to ABBA, nothing is sacred.And we all know about his dislike for a prawn sarnie…Here are the things that really make Roy Keane angry.”I think there’s a lot more to come from him. I think the two games on paper were very easy.”It’s a great start for the manager, but you knew he was going to get the two victories, just look at the 27 shots tonight.READ MORE SUN STORIES”There’s loads of bits to improve. The end product wasn’t that great but at least the subs came on and had an effect on the game.”But I thought it was OK. It was OK.” More

  • in

    Baller League EXACT time – what time is huge game kicking off TONIGHT?

    BALLER LEAGUE is headed to the UK after a successful outing in Germany.The Baller League will be headed up by president KSI, who recently sold out Wembley in the Sidemen Charity Match. KSI is the president of the Baller League after selling out the Sidemen Charity MatchCredit: GettyFormer Chelsea captain John Terry will manage the 26ersCredit: Yui Mok/PA WireThe YouTuber-turned-boxer put on a great show as Sidemen FC fell to defeat on penalties to YouTube Allstars, and Baller League promises to be another success.Twelve teams will compete, with the top four after 11 games going into the play-off round to determine the winner.The 12 teams will be managed by some huge stars, ranging from Premier League winning captain John Terry to musician Dave.Read more baller leagueSky Sports has picked up the Baller League, and it will come live weekly from Monday, March 24 for 11 weeks.The action all comes from the Copper Box Arena in Stratford.When does Baller League start, how can I watch it and is there a live stream?Starting on Monday, March 24, the Baller League will run for 11 consecutive weeks.The first game will kick-off at 5.35pm GMT with games all running for 30 minutes, with two 15 minute halves.Yanited take on N5 FC in the first fixture of Baller League UK.In the final three minutes of each half there will be new rules introduced, such as the ‘keeper cannot use their hands.Nightly action can be watched on UK TV on Sky Sports Mix.Coverage will begin at 5pm.The action is also available to be live streamed on YouTube and Twitch, as well as on SkyGO for Sky Customers.Alternatively, SunSport will live blog all the action on Monday. More

  • in

    Never seen Martin Brundle more confused in my life’ – Bonkers moment F1 icon interviews UNICORN live on Sky Sports

    MARTIN BRUNDLE should be blowing his own horn – after the F1 icon gave as good as he got in a surprise meeting with a unicorn live on TV.The Sky Sports broadcaster is famous for his informative pre-race strolls – but this might well have been his wackiest walkabout encounter ever.Martin Brundle went head to head with ‘Mr Unicorn’The Chinese influencer turned mythical creature showed Brundle a banner which translates as ‘fastest male in the world’Brundle was in Shanghai for the second Grand Prix of the season.And this time, along with his typical snatched chats with members of race teams, he faced an unexpected moment of magic.The former driver bumped into a Chinese influencer, which in itself might not sound too far out of the ordinary.But the man in question, Xue Zhang, is better known as Mr Unicorn.READ MORE IN F1So naturally he wore a huge unicorn head, complete with a spiky red horn.The resulting exchange between the two legends left viewers as bemused as was Sky’s veteran presenter.One fan reckoned: “I have never seen Martin Brundle more confused in my life.”The Brit, 65, was in the middle of a swift grid walk when he spotted the fantastic creature.Most read in MotorsportChinese Grand Prix after disqualificationsAfter the triple disqualification of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Pierre Gasly, here is the new top 10 standings:1) Oscar Piastri, McLaren2) Lando Norris, McLaren3) George Russell, Mercedes4) Max Verstappen, Red Bull5) Esteban Ocon, Haas6) Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes7) Alex Albon, Williams8) Oliver Bearman, Haas9) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin10) Carlos Sainz, WilliamsBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKBrundle told viewers: “There’s an unusual character – Xue Zhang.”The fearless fans’ favourite then homed in on the unicorn cosplayer. Lewis Hamilton hailed for ‘masterclass’ sprint victory before Ferrari star immediately takes aim at ‘yapping’ criticsHe said: “Hello, Martin Brundle here from Sky – tell us about you.”Sounding excited, Zhang replied: “I’m Mr Unicorn from China! I’m looking for the fastest man alive over here.”Asked by Brundle who he thought that was, he roared “(Lewis) Hamilton!”Far from having a long face over the meeting, the commentator kept his head, which only impressed viewers even more as they were soon ‘waxing mythical’ over his performance.One posted: “Brundle interviewing a Unicorn was not on my Bingo Card today.”A second wrote: “Sky Sports F1, this is such a wholesome moment! “Martin meeting Xue Zhang with that unicorn emoji is pure joy – love seeing these interactions that bring the F1 community closer. Can’t wait to hear more from this encounter!”A third argued: “F1 wouldn’t be the same without Brundle’s walkabout. Nobody does it BETTER.” But others remained open-mouthed with shock.One wrote, “Wtf was that?!?” and another admitted: “Made me howl.”Whether that last message came from a more dangerous type of fabled animal has yet to be cleared up.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, on the track, Oscar Piastri led Lando Norris to an imperious McLaren one-two, with George Russell third in his Mercedes.Ferrari duo Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, plus Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, were disqualified for technical breaches.Lando Norris was second with McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri the winnerCredit: Getty More

  • in

    Becoming Match of the Day host was like finding out I was PREGNANT, says Kelly Cates as she reveals how she landed job

    WHEN Kelly Cates was told she and Gabby Logan would become the first female Match Of The Day hosts in the show’s 60-year history, she wanted to shout it from the rooftops. But unfortunately for the new presenter, she was ordered by BBC bosses to keep quiet about her new role — a scenario which felt ­familiar to the mum of two. Kelly Cates wanted to shout with joy after making history as one of Match Of The Day’s first female hosts – but the BBC told her she’d need to keep it quietCredit: RexThe appointment of Kelly, who is the daughter of Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland great Kenny Dalglish, above, was widely welcomed by the football worldCredit: AlamyKelly will be joining Mark ‘Chappers’ Chapman and Gaby Roslin as the lead MOTD presenter teamCredit: PABecause, for Kelly, sitting on the enormous secret felt just like ­hiding a pregnancy. Speaking in depth for the first time about taking over from Gary Lineker next season, Kelly, 49, said: “I’m not good at secrets — it killed me! Genuinely, once the news was announced I could have slept for two days. “I found the stress of ­keeping it a secret so hard and even though it is a nice secret, it was a little bit like the early stages of pregnancy where you feel terrible that you can’t tell anybody. “It was awful lying to genuinely good friends. I hated it.” READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSKelly will be part of a new three-strong presenting team, alongside Gabby and Mark Chapman, both 51. And she is thrilled she can now share how she managed to land the biggest job in British sports broadcasting. An industry veteran of nearly 30 years, Kelly had been working for the BBC as part of 5 Live’s football coverage, as well as anchoring live games for Sky Sports, when she was called into a meeting by Beeb executives. ‘Ego-filled world’ It had been rumoured for some time that new BBC Director of Sport boss Alex Kay-Jelski wanted to shake up Match Of The Day, the world’s longest-running football highlights show. Most read in FootballBut Kelly had not bargained for being a part of his plans. Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast, she explains: “I had the conversation early on but in very vague terms. ‘Won’t be able to look him in the eye’ – Christine Lampard and MOTD’s Kelly Cates in hysterics over ‘Frank’s hot sauce’“I was already doing radio for the BBC, already working on 5 Live so it was natural for me to have meetings when a new boss came in, and everything was being changed so that was quite natural. “But in the course of one of those meetings it was, ‘Well, we’re rethinking how we’re going to do Match Of The Day and would you be interested to be in the mix?’ Inside I couldn’t wait for the meeting to end so I could shout ‘Oh my God! This is incredible’Kelly Cates“And I was trying really hard to keep a ‘not bothered’ face, saying, ‘Yeah, that would be great’. “But inside I couldn’t wait for the meeting to end so I could shout ‘Oh my God! This is incredible’.” Kelly added: “And they were brilliant around the whole thing — trying to balance the two and the fact I can keep doing live football, which I think is really important because if you don’t do that you forget why you’re covering it, you forget about those big moments and what it is like.” It was only when Kelly’s new gig was officially unveiled in January that the enormity began to sink in. She added: “Suddenly friends of mine who don’t even like football were phoning me saying, ‘Oh my God, this is so exciting — congratulations’. I didn’t even think it would be on their radar. “They’re not in that sports world and then you realise something like Match Of The Day goes past all of that. It’s in people’s lives — it’s in the background.” The appointment of Kelly, who is the daughter of Celtic, Liverpool and Scotland great Kenny Dalglish, along with Gabby and Mark — aka Chappers — was widely welcomed by the football world. All three are hugely respected figures within the industry and there was a general consensus they had done their time, working up the ranks and honing their craft over several decades. Kelly believes landing the gig came at the perfect time for all of the new line-up. She explains: “That was the big draw for the three of us. Kenny with wife Marina, Kelly and brother Paul in 1980Credit: Getty“To be in the mix with Chappers and Gabby, who I really like as people, first of all, but really admire as broadcasters as well . . . it’s just a really lovely group to be in. “People have this perception that it is a massive ego-filled world, and it is at times and you need a certain sort of ego to feel like you can do the job because you need a certain amount of confidence. “But you don’t want to be in a position where we’re all trying to scramble over each other. “The fact we’re all the same age, we’re at the same stage of our careers, we’ve all got other things outside of Match Of The Day that we’re all passionate about and really invested in, it means none of us are treading on each other and preying on each other’s insecurities. “We’re all really comfortable about who we are and where we are in our careers, so it really works for all of us. “We’re all at a stage in our lives as well where we want to spend time with our families. “We have kids of different ages and different things going on in our home lives as well. “It’s really nice to be able to keep all that in the mix.” Kelly’s grounding in sports broadcasting came in the early days of Sky Sports News, a rolling news channel launched in 2010. ‘Kicked up a fuss’ The female-heavy list of anchors, including Kirsty Gallacher, who is godmother to one of Kelly’s daughters, became synonymous with the channel. However, the presenters were often sexualised by viewers and when that attitude seeped into the brand marketing, Kelly was the one who put a stop to it. Don’t start undermining us from inside the organisation because we can take it from other people — we’re used to that — but we thought you had our backs here, that’s the way it should beKelly on sexualisation of female sports presentersThe star has always taken her position as a role model for women in sport seriously. She explained: “It was seen as ‘fruit on the barrow’, where you would put your juiciest fruit on the barrow — there was that attitude to it. “But we didn’t feel like that from the inside. That was very much an external thing. “Then I remember there was an ad put out with four female Sky Sports News presenters on, saying ‘There’s always something worth watching on Sky Sports News’. “I remember it happened on the Sunday and I think by the Tuesday or Wednesday I’d gone into the office and said, ‘No. I get that this comes from the outside but don’t do that to us from the inside’. “Don’t start undermining us from inside the organisation because we can take it from other people — we’re used to that — but we thought you had our backs here, that’s the way it should be’.” She added: “The reaction was they didn’t think I would be the person who came in and kicked up a fuss. “I was like, ‘That says something. If you think I’m easy-going and it upset me then you should probably read something into that’.” Kelly took an extended break from sports broadcasting to concentrate on bringing up her children. She returned to work in 2013 at Radio 5 Live where she hosted the station’s famous 606 football phone-in on Sundays alongside ex-Arsenal striker Ian Wright. She later returned to Sky Sports to anchor live games and previously made history as the first female presenter on talkSPORT. Glasgow-born Kelly, whose brother Paul was a professional footballer for Newcastle, is now separated from Tom Cates, the father of her two daughters. Like most working mums, Kelly admits taking care of her career and their teenage daughters can be challenging. She added: “It’s juggling lots of diaries, and I’ve got a really good relationship with my ex-husband. “He’s great with the girls in terms of being flexible because we have to be around my job. “You just make it work. I’m really lucky — I have a great job. “People do this and work three jobs and are stressed about putting food on the table and heating the house. “Although it’s tricky to do everything and all problems are relative, it’s manageable.” READ MORE SUN STORIESSaturday nights are about to get a whole lot busier for Kelly. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club.Kelly will be one of the team taking over when Gary Lineker leaves MOTD at the end of the current seasonCredit: BBC More

  • in

    Sky Sports host, 43, gives health update after walking out of live show due to illness

    A SKY SPORTS presenter has given a health update after being struck down with an illness during live coverage of Formula One’s season opener in Australia.UK audiences are certainly familiar with the stars of Sky’s F1 coverage including David Croft, Martin Brundle, Karun Chandhok and Bernie Collins.Sandra Baumgartner confirmed she was taken unwell but that the issue was not seriousCredit: RexThe race was won by Lando Norris with Max Verstappen coming in secondCredit: GettyBut on the broadcaster’s sister channel in Germany, presenter Sandra Baumgartner went missing halfway through the race.The 43-year-old, who has worked in F1 since 2012, had been seen conducting interviews in Melbourne before the race.However, she suddenly went missing from the broadcast about halfway through Sunday’s race.Colleague Peter Hardenacke clarified she had been taken ill, saying: “Some of you will miss Sandra. We will! She said goodbye during the race. She’s not feeling well. READ MORE IN F1″She already had a headache yesterday after the first day and qualifying. Best wishes, Sandra! Get well soon. “We hope you’ll be back hosting the warm-up for the Chinese Grand Prix on Thursday at the latest.”Baumgartner has since taken to Instagram to post an update on her condition and confirm she will return to duty for the warm-ups of next weekend’s race in China before her next race day in Bahrain on April 16.Taking to social media, she said: “Melbourne was great until I got ill. I’ll be back on Thursday for the warm-up for the next race. Most read in Motorsport”My next race on-site is Bahrain and not because of illness, that was already planned.”Lando Norris won the chaotic season opener with Max Verstappen coming a close second and George Russell coming in third.’I’m about to cry’ – Fans praise Lewis Hamilton’s dad for classy gesture as he consoles F1 rookie after debut crashSix drivers crashed out thanks to the changeable conditions, including rookie Isack Hadjar who was left in tears after crashing out on the formation lap – he was later consoled by Anthony Hamilton.But one of the highlights of the weekend – or lowlights if you are a Ferrari fan – were the radio exchanges heard on radio with both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc with their engineers.Hamilton was heard blasting an expletive down the radio at a major Ferrari strategy blunder after repeatedly asking his engineer to “leave me to it”.In Leclerc’s case, he complained about water in his seat from a possible leak before his engineer said the issue “must be the water”, with the driver sarcastically replying: “Let’s add that to the words of wisdom.”The Chinese Grand Prix weekend also presents the first Sprint Race weekend of the season. More

  • in

    Sky Sports send warning to pundits Gary Neville and Co over verdict on Man City’s ‘115 charges’

    SKY SPORTS have warned pundits over how they address Manchester City’s “115 charges”.A verdict on the Premier League’s legal war with City is expected in the coming weeks.Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville are among Sky Sports’ star punditsCredit: GettyRoy Keane will also be expected to comment on the matterCredit: GettySky chiefs are at pains to ensure that their reporting on the sensitive and complex matter will be “accurate, fair and balanced”.The broadcaster has told its pundits not to “make snap judgements” on the sensitive matter.Sky are said to have written to staff members, including the likes of Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane, asking them to “sufficiently digest the outcome” and to “stick to the facts” after the verdict.The outcome will also be subject to an appeal.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSky chiefs also hope that pundits will direct viewers to Sky Sports News for more information.The broadcaster is keen to avoid controversy on the matter.In doing so, they have also sent a “factfile” on the case to staff members.A verdict is expected before the end of the season.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSCity were initially slapped with 115 charges over alleged breaches of Financial Fair Play rules.The Prem champions, who have strongly denied all charges, were subsequently hit with 15 more.Pep Guardiola finally breaks his silence after Man City were charged with 115 financial breaches by Premier LeagueCity splashed out £175million on four new signings in the January window amid talk they were fearing a transfer embargo punishment.Boss Pep Guardiola denied that, insisting: “I do not agree but my words will not convince people our attributes are just being in a wealthy position.“In one month there will be a verdict and sentence and after we will see my opinion of what happened so far.”City could face a points deduction – or even relegation – if they are found guilty.Pep Guardiola has commented on the matterCredit: Alamy More