Archive September 29, 2025

After his wife Erica was hit by a drink thrown by an American fan in New York, Rory McIlroy has criticised the “unacceptable and abusive behavior” at the Ryder Cup.

McIlroy and his good friend Shane Lowry were playing on the 17th tee at Bethpage when the incident occurred.

After Europe defeated the United States 15-13 on Sunday, the Northern Irishman said, “It should be off-limits, but it wasn’t this week.”

Erica is fine, she said. She is a strong woman. She handled everything with the same class, poise, and dignity as she has always displayed. We’re going to enjoy [this win] because I love her.

After winning the Masters, McIlroy, the world number two, and the Irish Open, McIlroy claimed the Ryder Cup victory was the “best year of my career” and that it was the grand finale to his career Grand Slam.

Given that he plays on the PGA Tour, he is typically adored by American fans, but this week he endured the brunt of the insults.

After a reasonably quiet opening day on Friday, the abuse started to wane in New York as Europe jumped out to a seven-point lead.

McIlroy eventually swore at a spectator who called out while addressing the ball.

We tried to handle everything that came our way with class and poise, and for the most part, I thought we did that, he said, but it got to me a few times.

McIlroy is adamant that the abuse he suffered will not become apparent when the event’s 100th anniversary is celebrated at Adare Manor in Ireland in 2027.

He argued that golf should be held to a higher standard than what was reported this week.

“Golf can bring people together. You are taught good lessons about life by golf. You are taught proper etiquette. You are taught to follow the rules. You are taught to respect other people.

“Sometimes, this week, we didn’t notice that.” No, this shouldn’t be acceptable in the Ryder Cup, then.

“We will make sure to let Irish fans know that what transpired this week is unacceptable,” we said in 2027.

McIlroy went on to say that he would be “annoyed” if the home team’s support was “geared toward the Americans.”

He claimed that he heard a lot of shouts against him but didn’t hear much for Scottie [Scheffler-McIlroy’s opponent on Sunday.”

“Help your players,” The security presence was insane. There was no going to be a physical altercation, and there was a lot of abusive language.

It belongs to the minority. The majority of them are genuine golfers who respect both teams and allow them to play fair golf.

Wayne Rooney believes that Ruben Amorim, the manager, has lost his former team Manchester United and that he no longer has faith in him to bring things back.

On the most recent episode of the BBC podcast The Wayne Rooney Show, the record-setting United goalkeeper said the team was “broken” and that he expects them to lose.

Manchester United lost 3-1 to Brentford on Saturday, leaving them with 34 points after winning 33 league games in a row.

Despite suffering a terrible defeat that placed them 14th in the Premier League, the club is said to continue to support their head coach.

However, Rooney added that some current players “don’t deserve to wear the shirt,” that the team “needs a new engine,” and that supporters are “waiting for the club to crumble.”

The former England international, who won five league titles while playing at Old Trafford for 13 years, said, “I am not seeing anything that is giving me any confidence.”

United’s worst season in a top-flight campaign since 1973-74, when they were relegated from the old First Division, finished 15th in the Premier League last year.

Amorim, who won the Portuguese title with Sporting in successive years, took over United last November.

The Red Devils’ longest winning streak since 2019 comes with a defeat at Brentford, which leaves them without a win in their last eight Premier League away games (two draws and six losses).

Between May and August 2024, they last won the league twice.

Rooney remarked, “The owners must send a clear message.”

There must be a message about the direction this club is taking, whether it is the Glazers or [minority owner] Sir Jim Ratcliffe. We are all waiting for it to crumble at this very moment.

That football team’s culture has vanished. It is something I encounter every day. I witness employees leaving their jobs and employees leaving.

Amorim responded to Brentford’s disappointing defeat by saying, “I am not that kind of guy; I am never concerned about my job.”

The Portuguese, 40, has received criticism for sticking to his preferred 3-4-1 formation.

Former Manchester City and England defender Micah Richards claimed those tactics could “due to his undoing.” Premier League record-scorer Alan Shearer praised Amorim for avoiding the sack in a statement on BBC Match of the day.

Ex-Birmingham City, Derby County, and Plymouth Argyle boss Rooney, 39, admitted, “I just don’t know what’s going on.”

I tried my hand at management, and it didn’t go my way. I’m happy with it. Although Ron Amorim is my age, he is still a young manager and has a great future, Man Utd is not the same as it was when I was there.

The former England captain, who also led United, continued, “I don’t recognize the entire football club. I don’t see players fighting, characters, or a desire to win.

“I watch a game, expecting that the team will lose or maybe get a point,” I said.

It’s not just the pitch’s results, they say. Everything about the club needs to be fixed; Jim Ratcliffe and the Ineos have created a real challenge.

“We’re seeing staff members who are very important to that football club being fired after 20 or 30 years.

The club no longer has the “soul.” It requires a new engine and new life. To start that football team, something must be done.

Ratcliffe’s Ineos Group bought a 27.7% stake in United in February 2024 worth about £1.25bn ($1.6bn).

In the last two years, there have been controversical redundancies, with the overall number of employees dropping from 100 to 700.

Kiran Carlson, a Glamorgan batter, says he is prepared to lead the promoted County Championship side if given the opportunity following Sam Northeast’s return to his Kent-based hometown.

Carlson, 27, has been a limited-overs team manager for Wales county for four years, including two One Day Cup victories, while Northeast led Glamorgan’s first-class side as they finished second in division two.

Carlson, who placed eighth in the Professional Cricketers’ Association rankings for Most Valuable Player of the county season, said, “I’ve learned a lot from senior guys and I’m getting to the age where I can start leading and doing a really good job.”

When Northeast took a paternity leave, he led Glamorgan to a win over Kent and has been a regular member since he was 18 years old.

“If I do end up taking over, Sam’s will be very big boots to fill. He’s impacted the group massively in terms of standards and dragged people up,” Carlson told Wales’ BBC Sport.

“I’ve done a little championship captaincy, a little different from Sammy, and I’d probably be a little more emotional about it all. I’ll give it my best shot if the authorities want me to be captain.

Although seamers Timm van der Gugten and James Harris have county experience, most clubs prefer a batter as captain of the longest-serving four-day players, veterans Chris Cooke and Colin Ingram have already had captaincies.

That does not preclude Glamorgan from appointing a new signing, perhaps as a result of the desire to join, but with the potential danger of dressing-room harmony.

Carlson is excited about the prospect of playing first division championship cricket in 2026 despite winning the One Day Cup twice.

The Championship has the most significance from the fans’ and the players’ points of view, Carlson said, “The game is at its pinnacle, but the white ball competitions are very important as well.”

We’re really excited to play division one cricket because we know it will be a step up, but we support ourselves.

Van der Gugten, a fast bowler, predicts Glamorgan’s top flight success if they maintain their 10-game unbeaten streak from May through the middle of September.

The Dutchman referred to the promotion charge as “incredibly important for the club,” and it’s been really nice especially after the first three rounds. “However, how we turned things around and how we’ve played since then have been very enjoyable,” he said.

I don’t understand why we won’t have some success if we play like that in Div One.

After two previous visits to the first division in 2001 and 2005, both Glamorgan’s supporters and management realized how crucial it is to strengthen the squad if they want to remain in the top flight first.

Batter Sean Dickson, signed from Somerset, is not seen as a like-for-like replacement for the departing Northeast, but coach Richard Dawson told Wales’ BBC Sport that bowlers are the priority.

Top of the shopping list are seam bowlers, especially with Harris and Van der Gugten, both of whom are now in their mid-30s, and Ben Kellaway and Mason Crane both offering good spin options.

Because there are so many different formats to play in, we need numbers for our bowling unit and we need to consider other options. Once the schedule is ready, Dawson said, “We have to look at how that maps out.”

It takes time, patience, and a lot of phone calls, but we have Sean coming in, which is a great addition. There is also the loan market and a lot of creativity.

“The one thing I look at as a coach is how we can develop what we already have and who can take opportunities,” he said.

Although the Hundred franchise tournament and Glamorgan’s new first division status allow top-drawer overseas players to be called up frequently, it will be difficult to attract quality recruits because there are typically only a few qualified county professionals with suitably-experienced players on the move.

How will Dawson sell Sophia Gardens, then?

He responded, “Opportunity, division one, good changing room, hope we can improve people and Cardiff is a great city.”

Glamorgan’s promotion has come after six months of diligent fieldwork.