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Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani is withdrawing his offer to buy Manchester United, a person with knowledge of the process told The Associated Press

YouTuber and musician Olajide "KSI" Olatunji will look to do what rival creator Jake Paul couldn't on Saturday, when he takes on Love Island star and boxer Tommy Fury in their Prime Card fight at the Manchester AO Arena. Nine bouts are on the card for the Misfits event, including the hotly anticipated fight between WWE star and content creator Logan Paul and jiu jitsu champion Dillon Danis. Tensions have been rising for weeks for both main events, after Tommy's dad John Fury got physical at the first and second press conferences and the open workout, while Danis attracted controversy for taking aim at Paul's fiancée, Nina Agdal. Now, indy100 is here to keep you updated on the build-up to the historic bouts, the viral moments, social media reactions and - of course - the dramatic results. Deji squares up to Bryce Hall in behind-the-scenes confrontation October 14, 19:10 Away from the main action, YouTuber and boxer Deji Olatunji just faced off against TikToker Bryce Hall. Hall has one knockout to his name after beating Guillermo Perez in August, but lost to YouTuber Austin McBroom in the Battle of the Platforms event back in June 2021. Deji, meanwhile, has taken on Jake Paul (loss), Vinnie Hacker (loss), Alex Wassabi (loss), Fousey (win), Floyd Mayweather (loss) and Swarmz (win). 'Dead man walking': Last chance for trash talk as main card gets underway shortly... October 14, 19:00 Dillon Danis has fired off another tweet attacking his opponent Logan Paul ahead of their fight later, sharing a snap of Logan with a cut on his face and black eye. It comes after Danis struck Paul with a microphone during their second press conference on Thursday. Ed Matthews knocks out Swarmz in first round to take victory October 14, 18:38 Well, that ended quickly. Ed Matthews knocked down rapper Swarmz in the first round after just 30 seconds, and when the fighter failed to get up in 10 seconds, the win was handed to TikToker and YouTuber Ed Matthews. Matthews stepped in to take on rapper Swarmz after Misfits called off a rematch against initial opponent Ryan Taylor. The victory takes his record to 2-1. Meanwhile Swarmz - who appeared alongside KSI and Tion Wayne on the track "Houdini" - lost two fights against both Olatunji brothers: KSI and Deji. Correction: Swarmz vs Ed Matthews rounds up the preliminaries October 14, 18:26 Quick correction from us that Tempo Arts vs Chase DeMoor was not the final preliminary fight of the evening - that's Swarmz vs Ed Matthews, which is about to get underway. KSI tells S-X to 'keep up the work' following defeat to DTG October 14, 18:26 KSI has thrown his support behind friend and collaborator S-X after his debut boxing match, which ended in a loss to DTG. In a post to his Instagram story, KSI wrote: "Super proud bro [S-X] not many people can even get in the ring. Keep up the work and go again, my G." The duo worked together on the track "Down Like That" alongside Rick Ross and Lil Baby. Tempo Arts takes the Misfits heavyweight championship title with victory over Chase DeMoor October 14, 18:22 Tempo Arts has taken the vacant heavyweight championship title after four rounds of fighting Chase DeMoor. DeMoor forced Tempo against the ropes and corner several times in the first round, though this led to a few strong swings back from the YouTuber. Tempo delivered multiple body shots in the second round, though he was left with a bloody mouth at the end of it. The third round saw DeMoor push Tempo to the ropes and deliver a few calculated punches, with Tempo slipping to the ground at one point. Tempo continued with the body shots in the fourth and final round, while many of his swings didn't connect. Chase, however, pushed against Tempo and took him to the ropes and corner - at one point almost sending Tempo over ropes at one point. The judges gave the win to Tempo via a split decision of 39-37 to Chase, 39-37 to Tempo and 39-37 to Tempo. Chase DeMoor vs Tempo Arts is the next prelim match October 14, 17:59 Chase DeMoor, a TV personality who has appeared on Too Hot to Handle takes on YouTuber Tempo Arts for the final prelim match of this evening. Tempo Arts has two wins to his name, including one knockout, while DeMoor has three losses - all knockouts. Astrid Wett retains lightweight championship title following Alexia Grace fight October 14, 17:37 OnlyFans influencer Astrid Wett has secured her third win - against content creator Alexia Grace - meaning she remains women's lightweight champion. Wett won by a majority decision, with the three judges scoring the bout 28-28, 30-26 and 30-26. Astrid scored a number of jabs to Alexia's head in the first round, as well as a knockdown. Both fighters exchanged a number of blows to their opponents head in the second round. Alexia went on the offensive in the third and final round, but it wasn't enough to take the belt from Astrid. Astrid Wett vs Alexia Grace up next... October 14, 17:23 OnlyFans influencer Astrid Wett (2-0) is taking on Alexia Grace (0-0) next for three two-minute rounds for the women's lightweight championship. They had their own spat at their press conference, with The Sun reporting reporting that Astrid tried to charge across the stage at Alexia but was stopped by security. They were meant to fight earlier this year but The Sun says a pre-fight scrap saw Astrid taken to hospital and the bout cancelled. DTG defeats S-X after just one round October 14, 17:22 The first fight of the night is already over, after the referee intervened to give DTG - real name Deji Araoye - his second win, this time against S-X (real name Samuel Gumbley). DTG delivered several brutal connections to S-X's head in the first round, getting a KO after almost two minutes of fighting. This was S-X's Misfits debut. S-X takes on DTG in first match of the night - in mostly empty stadium October 14, 17:17 The first preliminary fight of the evening on the Prime Card is S-X against DTG - both are musicians. Manchester's AO Arena is looking pretty empty though, as three three-minute rounds in the heavyweight division get underway. Celebrity countdown show and preliminary fights begin ahead of main event October 14, 17:12 The countdown show has begun, presented by Roman Kemp, Big Zuu and Nada, with guests including YouTuber and boxer Deji Olatunji, rapper Bugzy Malone and impaulsive co-host Mike Majlak. Deji says he is "nervous" but "excited" about his brother, KSI, fighting this evening. The first preliminary fight is set to take place shortly. 'Make sure those lips don't come near me': Dillon Danis takes aim at Logan Paul and Nina Agdal kiss October 14, 16:12 Jiu jitsu champion Dillon Danis has once again targeted Logan Paul's relationship with Danish model Nina Agdal, responding to a snap posted on the YouTuber's Instagram story on Saturday showing him kissing his fiancée. Danis tweeted a screenshot of the photo and added: "Make sure those lips don't come near me during the fight. I'm not trying to catch something." The fighter has come under fire for bringing Agdal into the trash talk around their fight at Manchester's AO Arena by sharing multiple pictures of her with other men. Agdal has responded by filing a lawsuit against Danis, alleging she has suffered "humiliation, emotional distress, and reputational harm". Jake Paul appears to take dig at 'obsessed' KSI ahead of his fight against Tommy Fury October 14, 16:08 Jake Paul appears to have penned a thinly veiled dig at boxing rival KSI on Twitter/X, as the rapper - real name Olajide Olatunji - vows to do "what Jake Paul couldn't" and defeat opponent Tommy Fury on Saturday night. It comes after Paul lost to Fury by split decision in February this year, and with a fight between KSI and Jake Paul yet to take place, 'The Nightmare' has decided to take on and try to beat the man who took down his YouTube boxing rival. Paul isn't doesn't seem to be that impressed by the manoeuvre, though, writing a cryptic tweet in which he said: "I am so honored by how obsessed you are with trying to prove you are better than me. Good luck. #Goals." John Fury's bizarre record attempt resurfaces ahead of son's boxing bout October 14, 14:43 John Fury has proven himself to be quite the character in the run-up to his son Tommy Fury's fight against KSI, from flipping tables to 'mooning' crowds. And a video from September 2020 shows he has always been a truly wild character, as he looked to beat the Guinness World Record for the most chocolate truffles scoffed in a minute. The record cited by Tyson Fury at the time of filming was nine, appearing to refer to Canadian Peter Czerwinski's record amount of Ferrero Rochers devoured in 60 seconds, achieved in January 2012. 10 chocolates and a swig of water later, and Fury Sr. can be seen punching the air as Tyson confirmed he had supposedly beaten the record in 54.94 seconds, with five seconds to spare. Even if it was an official record, it was surpassed by Leah Shutkever in November 2020, who holds the current record after eating 12 chocolate truffles in a minute with no hands. Logan Paul shares fight day kiss with fiancée Nina Agdal ahead of Dillon Danis fight October 14, 14:43 Logan Paul releases emotional proposal video to supermodel girlfriend Nina Agdal Logan Paul has taken to Instagram Stories to share a series of promotional posts ahead of his bout against jiu jitsu fighter Dillon Danis this evening, including one of him sharing a kiss with his fiancée, Danish model Nina Agdal. Paul's upcoming battle against Danis has had an impact on Agdal as much as it has her partner, after Danis decided to share pictures of the model with other men in a bid to get inside Paul's head. Danis believes he hasn't gone too far with the posts, insisting "everything's public", but the tweets have divided the internet and those involved in the sport. Jake Paul, Logan's brother, commented to say "we've seen worse than this" in boxing, and Anthony Joshua appeared to defend Danis by claiming "there are no rules" when it comes to fighting. Danis has even suggested he possesses a picture capable of disrupting Paul and Agdal's relationship, which has supposedly been seen by Twitch streamer Adin Ross. Agdal has since filed a lawsuit against the fighter, alleging she has suffered "humiliation, emotional distress, and reputational harm", to which Danis responded to say it could put the fight in "jeopardy" and branded Paul a "cowardly rat". So personal is the feud between the two of them that Paul has said he won't shake Danis's hand after the fight, and the pair made a verbal agreement that Danis would be best man at Paul's wedding if he wins this evening. Will Niko Omilana be ringside for KSI vs Tommy Fury? October 14, 13:48 In addition to all the anticipation around the fights themselves, fans of the YouTuber boxing scene are also wondering if prankster Niko Omilana will once again be "ringside" for the Prime Card. The "menace", who came fifth in the 2021 London mayoral election (beating Laurence Fox) and has gone viral with videos pranking members of the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) and English Defence League (EDL), has also found fame for sneaking into boxing events featuring his YouTube friends. In August 2018, Omilana snuck into the boxing ring for KSI's first fight against Logan Paul (with the help of a wristband which required him telling a printing company his name was 'Ringside'). Unphased by being forced out of the ring by security, he did it again for their rematch a year later. He went even further in 2020, sporting a disguise and claiming his name was 'Reng Sayeed' (read that out loud) to get into the audience for Jake Paul's fight against Ali Loui Al-Fakhri - or 'AnEsonGib'. However, having only got so far as to spend a matter of seconds in the ring (or the ropes) before being booted out by security, Omilana wanted to be at the centre of a big boxing match for a little while longer, so for KSI's two fights against Swarmz and Luis Alcaraz Pineda in 2022, he hid himself inside a giant Prime bottle to do the ring walk with Olatunji. Now, with KSI arguably facing his biggest fight yet, fans are wondering if Omilana will be up to his antics again this evening. In a video posted by musician Steph Leon, in which the prankster was asked if he was sneaking into the latest event, Omilana replied: "I can't disclose that information otherwise they'll be out for me next time. "Who knows? Maybe, maybe not." We shall have to wait and see... A reminder of all the fights happening today... October 14, 12:37 While many will know about KSI's fight against Tommy Fury and Logan Paul's bout against Dillon Danis, several other fights are scheduled on the event's prelims and undercard. Prelims: Chase Demoor vs Tempo Arts S-X vs DTG Astrid Wett vs Alexia Grace Swarmz vs Ed Matthews Main event: Alex Wassabi and NichLmao vs BDave and Luis Pineda (Los Pineda Coladas) Whindersson Nunes vs My Mate Nate King Kenny vs Anthony Taylor Deen the Great vs Walid Sharks 2 Salt Papi vs Slim Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis KSI vs Tommy Fury Swarmz was initially meant to fight Ryan Taylor, but The Sun reports that Misfits Boxing have said that bout is off, but with no official reason given as to why. The action gets underway with the prelims from 5pm (GMT). A warning for headphone users: KSI screams 'let's go' in fight day TikTok October 14, 11:01 @ksi The day Tommy Fury loses. Watch it live on DAZN ppv With it only being a matter of hours before he enters the ring, KSI has uploaded a TikTok video expressing his excitement for fight day. Captioned "the day Tommy Fury loses", the upload sees the YouTuber in a shower, pouring two bottles of Prime (which he co-founded with Logan Paul) onto his face, before facing the camera and screaming "let's go" in time with the audio. Someone's hyped... Tommy Fury is yet to post anything to social media. Yes, the Logan Paul vs Dillon Danis fight is still happening... October 14, 11:00 Dillon Danis strikes Logan Paul with microphone in chaotic pre-fight face-off Despite Dillon Danis sharing a tweet claiming he would be taking on Jake Paul on Saturday as Logan Paul "missed weight", the Paul vs Danis fight is still very much going ahead. Paul posted on X (formerly Twitter) that "the fight is very much happening" and "the stakes just got higher", after Danis argued his opponent missed the weigh-in window. However, regulatory body the Professional Boxers Association responded to Danis's tweet to point out the weigh-in window started at 10am on Friday and ended at 1pm, that "all fighters weighed in" and "no rules [were] breached". And given their many heated exchanges in the build-up to the fight, it seems both fighters are very keen to throw hands... Fiery exchanges at the weigh-in October 14, 10:37 The heated fighting talk only continued on Friday, when Logan Paul appeared for the weigh-in with Dillon Danis' jiu jitsu rival Gordan Ryan, and both KSI and Tommy Fury insisted that it was "over" for the other fighter during their exchange in the cage. Both fights are six three-minute rounds. John showed his fury at the second press conference too... October 14, 10:36 John Fury attacks perspex glass to try and get to KSI at … Not content with flipping tables at the first press conference, John Fury entered the cage inside which KSI stood (albeit some perspex glass for safety) and started punching and headbutting the screen in an unsuccessful attempt to get to his son's boxing opponent during the second press conference on Thursday. At one point, as John was heckling KSI from the side of the stage, the senior fighter 'mooned' the entire audience in an attempt to ridicule Olatunji. Elsewhere, Logan Paul and Dillon Danis were yet again unable to have a press conference face-off after yet another brawl broke out on stage. Watch the video of Fury's antics above, or in our report on the second press conference. KSI's 'spat' with John Fury at the open workout October 14, 10:11 KSI 'spits' back at John Fury from balcony after having a bottle … Then, as we entered fight week, the fighters had an opportunity to show their opponents - and, indeed, viewers - their strengths in the form of open workouts. Yet, perhaps predictably, drama unfolded when John Fury (of table-flipping fame) launched a bottle at KSI, who was heckling rival Tommy Fury during an interview. Olatunji retaliated by appearing to 'spit' in John Fury's direction. It wasn't the only bizarre incident to take place during the open workouts, as both Dillon Danis and Logan Paul decided to carry out some wrestling instead of throwing punches. Read more about the unusual happenings in our report from Thursday. Tommy Fury promises KSI 'early night' ahead of Manchester bout as pair sling insults at one another October 14, 10:20 Tommy Fury promises KSI 'early night' ahead of Manchester bout as pair … Tommy Fury has promised an “early night” in his showdown against YouTube star KSI ahead of their bout in Manchester... Birthday cakes destroyed and tables flipped during first fight press conference October 14, 09:52 John Fury destroys stage at chaotic Tommy Fury vs KSI press conference Before the action kicks off this evening, here's a reminder of the wild promotional events which have taken place to hype up the fights, starting with the first press conference back in August. Dillon Danis walked out onto the stage wearing the Toy Story alien hat sported by Logan Paul in his infamous 2017 video on Japan's Aokigahara forest, Paul brought out a birthday cake for Danis depicting him knocked out on a canvas (the head of which he later launched at Danis), and to top it all off, John Fury threw a tantrum and flipped several tables in anger. Read more in our report on the dramatic events. Dillon Danis argues him and Logan Paul 'still haven't been drug tested' October 14, 09:49 While some might say a fighter should get a good night's sleep ahead of a boxing match the next day, Dillon Danis was up posting tweets on X (formerly Twitter) at 1:30am and 2:30am on Saturday morning. After previously arguing that Paul "missed weight" (his opponent took to Twitter to share he was within the weight limits, and the fight is very much going ahead), Danis is now complaining that the pair have not had a drugs test. It comes after Danis branded Paul a "juice head" earlier this week. How can I watch the KSI vs Tommy Fury fight? October 14, 09:49 Timings are a little up in the air for KSI vs Fury, with a bunch of undercard fights to get through, but it's understood to take place sometime after 11pm (GMT) this evening. Streaming site DAZN says ringwalks for the fight will start at approximately 10:50pm. As for how to watch the fight, the main way is through DAZN pay-per-view, which requires a paid subscription to the service of either £9.99 a month (first month £1), £19.99 a month (first month £5, with option to cancel with 30 days' notice) or a £99.99 annual subscription. If you want to watch the fight without taking out a DAZN subscription, then it's since been announced that the fight can be purchased for £24.99 on DAZN Boxing's YouTube channel, and viewed through ESPN pay-per-view. Find out more in our report from Tuesday. The story so far... October 14, 09:49 After attempts to fight Jake Paul proved unsuccessful, KSI has insisted he is "doing what [the YouTuber] couldn't" and knocking out Tommy Fury on Saturday night. The "Down Like That" rapper's boxing journey began in 2018, when he defeated fellow content creator Joe Weller after three rounds. He then called out Jake Paul and Logan Paul for his next fight, with the latter stepping into the ring to take on Olatunji in August of that year. When their first fight ended in a majority draw (meaning there was no overwall winner but KSI remained champion), a rematch took place in 2019, which KSI won by split decision. "The Nightmare" returned to boxing last year when he was scheduled to take on American creator Alex Wassabi, but his rival pulled out of the fight after suffering a concussion. The August 2022 event was later billed as "two fights, one night", with KSI fighting - and defeating - both rapper Swarmz and Mexican fighter Luis Alcaraz Pineda. Moving into 2023, and January saw KSI defeat FaZe Temperrr. Interestingly, he was meant to fight Dillon Danis (Logan Paul's opponent for this weekend's event), but the jiu jitsu star pulled out of the fight. A month later, and Jake Paul lost to Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia by split decision. In May, KSI initially knocked out boxer Joe Fournier after two rounds, but it was later ruled a 'no contest' when footage showed Fournier being hit by Olatunji's elbow in his final punches. Now, the two fighters go head-to-head in a fight expected to take place around 11pm (GMT) this evening. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

KSI and Tommy Fury will square off in the boxing ring tonight, moments after Logan Paul and Dillon Danis go head to head. The Misfits event at Manchester’s AO Arena is one of the most-anticipated cards of the year, with each of the four fighters possessing thousands of fans and thousands of critics. Briton KSI and American Paul rose to fame on YouTube before crossing into boxing – even facing each other before becoming business partners and launching the Prime energy drink company in 2022. Meanwhile, Fury is best known as the half-brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson, and he most recently beat Paul’s younger brother Jake in February to stay unbeaten as a professional. In contrast, Danis is boxing for the first time tonight, though he does have a combat background. The American is a former jiu-jitsu champion and mixed martial artist, who some will know as an ex-teammate of UFC star Conor McGregor. While KSI and compatriot Fury have traded barbs repeatedly ahead of their clash tonight, the build to the all-American bout between Paul and Danis has been especially bitter. Paul’s fiancee Nina Agdal was even granted a temporary restraining order against Danis in September, after he took to social media to share numerous photos of her with various men. Will tonight mark the end of his feud with Paul? Find out below, with live updates and results from KSI vs Fury and Paul vs Danis. Read More KSI ‘spits’ back at John Fury from balcony after having a bottle thrown at him Who is KSI? From ‘endearing’ class clown to YouTuber who has changed the face of boxing Dillon Danis hits Logan Paul in the head with microphone as face-off descends into chaos

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Michael O’Neill was delighted to see Paul Smyth grab his Northern Ireland chance with both hands as the QPR winger got a goal and an assist on his first international start in a 3-0 win over San Marino. Smyth, who also had a goal disallowed, did his best to light up what was a largely drab affair at Windsor Park as Northern Ireland ended a run of five straight defeats in Euro 2024 qualifying but did not fully catch fire. Smyth’s trademark backflip celebration was seen just five minutes into the match after he leapt to volley in a Jamal Lewis cross and six minutes later Smyth’s low cross was turned home by Josh Magennis. It might have been even better when Smyth met Jonny Evans’ ball from deep with the ideal finish to lift it over the goalkeeper, but after a lengthy VAR check the strike was ruled out for offside and instead it was substitute Conor McMenamin who made it 3-0 with his first international goal late on. Smyth, who this summer returned to QPR after two years with Leyton Orient, made his Northern Ireland debut five years ago but this was only his sixth cap. “He’s had to be patient, Paul,” O’Neill said. “I gave him his debut against South Korea in 2018. We are five years on and his appearances have been limited since then. “He’s in a good place at his club. He’s got himself back into Championship football, he’s played a lot of times for QPR this season. “I know at his club he sometimes plays a lot at wing-back, but in that 4-3-3 not only does he give you width and crosses, he has an eye for a goal. It was a brilliant finish for his goal and a brilliant finish for the one that was disallowed.” O’Neill was delighted with the way his side started but admitted they lost momentum too quickly, with the manager identifying Smyth’s disallowed 31st-minute strike as a key moment. “When Paul’s goal was disallowed it kind of took the momentum out of the game with the time it takes to make the decision,” O’Neill said. “It was a long time for just an offside, I’m not sure why it takes so long. “I thought in the second half again we’d chances, at times we got a little bit bogged down in our play, but equally it was good to get a the third goal.” San Marino coach Fabrizio Contantini called Northern Ireland deserving winners, but also felt substitute Conor Washington should have seen red when caught Lorenzo Lazzari heavily on the ankle in the 66th minute. Referee Bram van Driessche was sent to the monitor by the VAR but opted only to book Washington. “In my opinion it was totally a red card,” Constantini said through a translator. “It is strange because the VAR tells the referee to go and see it and very, very few times the referee goes to the screen and decides not to show the red card. But at the same time it was not a key moment.” Unsurprisingly, O’Neill disagreed, saying Washington’s challenge looked worse than it was when slowed down. More frustrating for him was a late yellow card for Paddy McNair which rules the Middlesbrough man out of Tuesday’s match against Slovenia. “I think the referee possibly got the wrong player,” O’Neill said. “I think it was young Callum (Marshall) who was more forceful in the tackle. I’m not sure if we can address that, but if it rules Paddy out it will be disappointing. “He blows the full-time whistle 10 seconds later. Is it really necessary to brandish a yellow card in that situation? We’ll deal with whatever the outcome of that is coming into the Slovenia game.” Read More Rob Page to ‘ignore the noise’ amid reports his Wales job could be in jeopardy Josh Hodge hat-trick helps Exeter inflict record defeat on Saracens Paul Smyth stars as Northern Ireland see off San Marino Ben Stokes ‘getting better day by day’ but Afghanistan game could come too soon World Cup has given Rob Burrow the rugby union bug – Kevin Sinfield Returning Antoine Dupont ‘inspires fear in opponents’ – Mathieu Jalibert

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Wales manager Rob Page has promised to “ignore the noise” amid reports that his job could be in jeopardy. It was reported on Saturday morning – little more than 24 hours before Wales’ vital Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia in Cardiff – that Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney had wanted former Sunderland and Ipswich manager and TV pundit Roy Keane to replace Page following June defeats to Armenia and Turkey. Page signed a four-year deal in September 2022, but Mooney confirmed this week that the manager’s position would be reviewed next month if Wales did not qualify for Euro 2024 automatically. Wales are currently fourth in Group D and need to win their final three games against Croatia, Armenia and Turkey to realistically secure a top-two place and avoid the play-offs in March. Page responded to the speculation over his future at his pre-match press conference for the Croatia game, saying: “We’ve got to ignore all the noise. It is noise and that’s it, so we try to protect the players as much as we can. “I have not spoken to the chief executive at all, so I could not tell you whether it is true or not (that he is to be replaced). “All I have to focus on is, before the World Cup I signed a four-year deal and the long-term plan for me is to start introducing young players into the group. “We are in a transition period and we have said this time and time again. We have lost big players like Joe Allen and Gareth Bale. Not just for what they bring us on the pitch, but also the value they add in the changing room. “We’ve seen the talent we’ve got coming through. We’re developing these young players and it’s going to take time. “I get the frustration. We want to win games of football but there’s got to be a bit of perspective. I’m doing what’s best for the FAW, not myself. By introducing these young players, it is better for Wales in the future.” Three members of Page’s coaching staff – Alan Knill, Ian Mitchell and Tony Roberts – took the unusual step of attending the press conference at the back of the room in an apparent show of unity. We've got to ignore all the noise...and try to protect the players as much as we can Rob Page “It’s a great gesture from the staff, not something I was ready for but I really appreciate it,” said a visibly-emotional Page. “We are really close and everyone is pushing in the right direction. I wish the supporters and you guys (the media) could see what we’ve got in that changing room. It’s incredible. The staff here means a lot. “We’re in an industry where everyone wants to win games of football. I feel the frustration as well but the bigger picture is we have a plan to introduce younger players for the future. “I can’t worry about the business side of it, cost-cutting and all that. I’ve got a job to do as a football coach to get them in the right place, physically and mentally, to win games of football.” Mooney told BBC Wales on Wednesday that a “serious review” would take place on Page’s position after the Armenia and Turkey games next month when “everything will be settled”. Wales captain Ben Davies was critical of Mooney’s comments, saying: “It’s not helpful. We don’t want noise coming from within the organisation. We hope that everybody is on the same page. “It is disappointing to hear, but as far we are concerned it’s not our focus. Our focus is the game against Croatia.” Asked specifically about Page, Davies said: “We’re very supportive of the manager. It’s professional every day and everyone wants to come on camp. “Having a manager always behind you and giving you support breeds loyalty and he deserves our support now. “We’re a tight-knit group and I think that part of the reason we’ve had the success we’ve had over the years is because we all stick together.” Wales defender Chris Mepham is in contention to start against Croatia, despite being out for a month with a hamstring injury. Read More Josh Hodge hat-trick helps Exeter inflict record defeat on Saracens Paul Smyth stars as Northern Ireland see off San Marino Ben Stokes ‘getting better day by day’ but Afghanistan game could come too soon World Cup has given Rob Burrow the rugby union bug – Kevin Sinfield Returning Antoine Dupont ‘inspires fear in opponents’ – Mathieu Jalibert Gareth Southgate fired up as England face ‘revitalised’ Italy in crunch clash

Paul Smyth marked his first start for Northern Ireland with a goal and an assist as they saw off San Marino 3-0, but although Michael O’Neill’s side ended a five-game losing streak it was a largely drab affair at Windsor Park. QPR striker Smyth, earning a sixth cap, got his first competitive goal for his country just five minutes in and then teed up Josh Magennis to get the second moments later, but it took until the 81st minute for Northern Ireland to get a third as substitute Conor McMenamin got his maiden strike. Victory over a side ranked 207th and last in the world will do nothing to solve the bigger problems that have plagued Northern Ireland throughout a miserable Euro 2024 qualifying campaign and beyond, but it does at least change the narrative as they recorded a first home win in over a year. Looking to mix things up, O’Neill brought a number of fresh faces into his starting line-up, with Conor Hazard making his first competitive appearance in goal and first starts for Smyth and Dale Taylor. Almost immediately the two forwards combined as Taylor met Smyth’s low cross at the near post, but he was unable to keep his shot down from a difficult angle. No matter, because two minutes later Smyth scored, arriving on cue to volley in Jamal Lewis’ dinked cross from the left. And only six minutes later, Magennis doubled the advantage as Smyth turned provider, driving a low cross in from the right which Magennis turned in at the near post – his first goal since the winner against Kosovo in September 2022, Northern Ireland’s last Windsor Park victory before this. Any fears that San Marino might upset a struggling Northern Ireland side dissipated and they continued to drive forward against their part-time opponents, with Daniel Ballard heading narrowly wide and Trai Hume sending a shot over from distance after being encouraged to try his luck by the crowd. Smyth thought he had a second in the 31st minute when Jonny Evans sent forward a long ball and he arrived to lift it over the goalkeeper with another volleyed finish, but it was ruled out for offside after a lengthy VAR check. But despite the scoreline the atmosphere inside Windsor Park felt flat, to the extent that at one point in the first half chanting was even played on the PA system, and it was not helped when a torrential downpour before half-time sent those in the family stand scrambling for cover. The 19-year-old Taylor had chances to emulate Smyth’s achievement on his first start after the break, but headed over from Paddy McNair’s free-kick and then squandered a better opportunity just before the hour, poking a shot wide after being played in by Magennis. O’Neill then brought on another exciting teenager in West Ham striker Callum Marshall, one of three changes as Conor Washington and Isaac Price also came on with Smyth, Magennis and Evans departing and Ballard taking the captain’s armband. Washington was fortunate to avoid an almost immediate red card when he connected heavily with the ankle of Lorenzo Lazzari, but referee Bram Van Driessche decided a yellow card was sufficient after being advised to check the replay. San Marino goalkeeper Elia Benedettini made a double save to deny Price and then Marshall but Northern Ireland were struggling to carve out clear chances as the visitors defended deep. But McMenamin came on along with Brodie Spencer with a little over 10 minutes left, and the St Mirren winger was on the scoresheet moments later. Benedettini got a hand to a powerful strike from Washington, but could only push it into the centre of goal, where McMenamin was waiting to wrap up the win for Northern Ireland. Read More Josh Hodge hat-trick helps Exeter inflict record defeat on Saracens Ben Stokes ‘getting better day by day’ but Afghanistan game could come too soon World Cup has given Rob Burrow the rugby union bug – Kevin Sinfield Returning Antoine Dupont ‘inspires fear in opponents’ – Mathieu Jalibert Gareth Southgate fired up as England face ‘revitalised’ Italy in crunch clash Chelsea defender Levi Colwill looking to build on ‘amazing’ England debut

Rugby World Cup host France faces defending champion South Africa in the last quarterfinal on Sunday with belief following a landmark win over the Springboks late last year