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By MICHAEL PAVITT, SPORTS REPORTER

Published: 11:06 BST, 1 July 2026 | Updated: 14:51 BST, 1 July 2026

BBC co-commentator Danny Murphy surprised viewers with a bizarre anecdote about the disappearance of his cat during World Cup commentary.

Murphy was alongside commentator Steve Bower for the broadcaster’s coverage of Norway’s last-32 match against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

The former midfielder offered up his story after Norway had introduced Fulham winger Oscar Bobb as a 71st minute substitute, as they looked to seal a 1-0 victory.

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Bobb’s first touch of the football saw him clear the ball deep into Ivory Coast’s half, giving Murphy the opportunity to take the commentary in an unlikely direction.

‘Here’s Bobb’s first involvement,’ Bower said, followed by a pause before Murphy offered: ‘I used to have a cat called Bob.’

‘The game’s not that bad,’ Bower replied.

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BBC co-commentator Danny Murphy surprised viewers of Norway’s match with the Ivory Coast with a brief anecdote about the disappearance of his cat Bob

Murphy’s story followed Norway winger Oscar Bobb coming off the bench as a substitute in their eventual 2-1 win

‘He jumped in the back of a Royal Mail van and lost him,’ Murphy continued.

The co-commentator then offered a ‘sad really… anyway’, with Murphy’s deadpan comment prompting a laugh from Bower

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Bower repeated ‘anyway’, before returning the focus of the commentary back to the match.

The story prompted a reaction on social media, with one viewer quipping that Royal Mail should have delivered ‘Bob’ back to Murphy.

Bower’s interjection that the game was ‘not that bad’ proved prophetic, with the Ivory Coast scoring an equaliser just one minute later.

A flowing Ivory Coast move ended with Amad Diallo exchanging passes to break into the Norway box, with the Man United winger cutting onto his left foot and firing into the net.

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Norway would ultimately book their place in the last-16 with Erling Haaland scoring the winning goal four minutes from time.

Norway’s reward for their victory is a showdown against Brazil on Sunday in New Jersey.

How much is David Beckham set to pocket from his World Cup brand deals? Take on our quiz in our newsletter HERE 

The family of a pregnant woman who was murdered by her Youtuber boyfriend who then staged a fake gaming livestream to cover up his crime have hit out as he appeals his jail sentence.

Stephen McCullagh was jailed last month for 31 years after he was found guilty of murdering Natalie McNally on December 18 2022.

Belfast Crown Court heard that McCullagh concocted a twisted alibi ahead of time, having pre-recorded himself playing Grand Theft Auto on a Christmas-themed stream he entitled ‘No Time To Die‘.

During the stream, he repeatedly told viewers it was Sunday and claimed the ‘live chat’ functionality was malfunctioning – both covering the fact he wasn’t really sat in front of his computer.

In fact, McCullagh used the six hours of fake gameplay to travel to his partner’s home where he beat, strangled and stabbed her to death in a ‘brutal and frenzied attack’.

A day later he made a faux-hysterical 999 call after ‘discovering’ her body, telling an operator: ‘No… she’s cold. There’s blood everywhere.’

Police initially ruled him out as a suspect but after they deduced that the live stream was fake he was arrested in February 2023 and charged with murder. 

But now McCullagh, who denies the murder, has launched an appeal against his sentence.

Pictured Natalie McNally who was murdered by McCullagh who concocted a twisted alibi ahead of time, having pre-recorded himself playing Grand Theft Auto on a Christmas-themed stream he entitled ‘ No Time To Die’ to cover up his crime 

Natalie’s brother Declan McNally has blasted McCullagh adding he’s not surprised the murderer is trying to quash his conviction.

He added that the saga had ‘completely re-traumatised’ the family.

Mr McNally said: ‘It’s just another blow. My mum and dad, they’re strong and resilient people.

‘We shouldn’t have to be so strong again and again and again, it’s just completely re-traumatising the whole family.’

Mr McNally added: ‘It just speaks to the character of the murderer, the way he’s acted before, during, and after the murder, after the trial, you just expect the complete worst from that individual.

‘He hasn’t shown any remorse, no regret, no responsibility, and now he’s going to court again, looking to reduce his sentence. It’s astonishing.’

Natalie had been watching the World Cup final with her family just hours before she was murdered.

In a tragic turn of events, the family were once again watching a World Cup game yesterday when they received the news McCullagh was appealing his sentence.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster, Mr McNally said: ‘It just speaks to his character completely.

‘That he would do it just speaks to his hideous nature… If they’re going to look at the sentence again, the only way the sentence should be going is up.’

During McCullagh’s sentencing in June, the judge described the murder as ‘cold-blooded and calculated’.

To hide his crime further, McCullagh sought to frame his partner’s ex-boyfriend for the murder – and turned to his victim’s family for comfort as he maintained his illusion of innocence.

He attended her wake on Christmas Day at her parents’ home and a public rally in her memory on January 28, where he was described as her ‘loving partner’.

The 36-year-old also secretly recorded conversations at her family home by deliberately leaving his mobile phone behind.

Prosecutors said he did so to find out whether her family suspected him or had discussed the police investigation.

The fake livestream remained available to view on his YouTube channel – which had 37,000 followers – until he was found guilty of murder in March.

It was described by trial judge Mr Justice Kinney as an ‘integral’ part of his plan to murder his partner, whom it emerged had slept with a former boyfriend in October 2022, two months after she had begun dating the gaming streamer.

She had also been in contact with other men, one of whom had asked if she and McCullagh were planning to break up.

Prosecutors suggested that he may have been driven to kill her after seeing the messages. He had previously assaulted a former ‘on-off’ girlfriend after she shared intimate images with another man.

On Tuesday the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) in Northern Ireland said it has been notified that an appeal against the sentence has been lodged.

Three teenage boys were handed non-custodial sentences in May despite being convicted of a combined 10 rape offences and seven indecent image offences

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Detention was the “only appropriate sentence” for three teenage boys who escaped custody after being found guilty of raping two girls, the Court of Appeal has heard.

Two 15 year old boys, referred to as X and Y, and a 14-year-old, referred to as Z, received non-custodial sentences in May despite being found guilty of a combined 10 rape offences and seven indecent image offences involving two victims.

The girls were separately assaulted in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in November 2024 and January 2025. The two older boys participated in both assaults, while the 14 year old encouraged the rape of the second victim.

The Attorney General referred the sentences to the Court of Appeal as “unduly lenient” following widespread public outcry, reports the Mirror.

At a hearing on Wednesday, barristers contended detention was the only suitable punishment and stated aspects of the sentencing judge’s approach were “fundamentally flawed”.

The boys, who have not attended the hearing in London, are challenging the attempts to have their sentences increased.

Tom Little KC, for the Attorney General, said: “We accept… that the judge did try to apply the relevant principles, but our submission is he misapplied them along the way, the cumulative effect of which was to lead to unduly lenient sentences.”

He continued: “It is difficult to understand how the judge could properly have come to the conclusion that he did, given the sheer number of rape offences, which the judge does not properly address in any way in… his sentencing remarks, the underlying seriousness of the offending and the harm sustained.”

Sentences received

• X received a three-year youth rehabilitation order (YRO) with 180 days of intensive supervision and surveillance for raping and taking indecent images of both victims.
• Y was handed the same sentence for three charges of rape against each of the two victims and four counts of taking indecent images by filming the incidents.
• Z was issued an 18-month YRO for two charges of rape relating to the latter victim after encouraging the second defendant, and for an offence of indecent images.

Judge Rowland stated at sentencing that while X and Y were assessed by Youth Justice Services as “medium risk” of reoffending but “high risk of serious harm” to young females, he was required to take their backgrounds into account.

He noted that X had been diagnosed with ADHD and “long-standing anxiety”, while Y had an IQ in the bottom 1%, had ADHD with “extreme neurodevelopmental impairment” and presented “more like an eight-year-old”.

Mr Little acknowledged in court that Z was “plainly in a different position” from X and Y owing to his younger age and involvement in only one of the rapes, but maintained that his offending was “sustained”. However, in written submissions, he continued: “In summary it is submitted that the extent and nature of the offending was so serious such that the only appropriate sentence for X, Y and Z was detention.”

The barrister further argued that the restraining order placed on the three boys, barring them from contacting either victim for 10 years, ought to have been indefinite, noting that this had caused the victims “very significant concern”.

‘Unduly lenient’

Clare Wade KC, representing X, contended that Judge Rowland “approached the sentencing exercise correctly”.

She stated: “The sentences imposed broadly provide the best opportunity for the child offenders to learn and develop and provide the most effective way of protecting women and girls in future by preventing future offending.”

Edward Henry KC, acting for Y, informed the court that his client “behaved deplorably and disgracefully and deserves to be punished”, but had been rendered a “pariah” amid the public outcry that followed his sentencing, which inflicted upon the boy “substantial additional punishment that he is ill-equipped to bear”.

Mr Henry argued that in referring Y’s sentence as “unduly lenient”, the Attorney General “has not engaged with the compelling evidence that the child whom I represent has a constellation of comorbid conditions that dramatically reduced his culpability”. He said: “The sole question is whether the sentence was outside the range of sentences reasonably open to a judge, who presided over the 29-day trial, heard all of the evidence, and applied the correct legal framework with conspicuous care. In our submission, it was not.”

In a statement issued to the Press Association prior to the hearing, one of the victims stated that the attack on her “has left me harmed so severely that I do not think I will ever be the same” and that the trial of her attackers “broke something inside me”.

She said: “I feel like I am carrying what happened every day. I wake up with it, I go to school with it, I try to sit exams with it, and I go to sleep with it. It is always there. I cannot just switch it off. I cannot just move on.”

The proceedings, before the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Edis and Ms Justice Norton, are expected to conclude on Thursday.

He also threw a drinks can at her and spat at her

A man who abused his former partner during a month of violence has been jailed. Kieran Jones first attacked the woman at her home in Paston in the early hours of November 30 last year.

The 37-year-old slapped her in the face, causing a swollen lip. He also spat and punched her, also at the home in Paston, on December 4, causing a cut to her lip.

The pair went for a meal at a restaurant in March on December 13. After an argument, Jones got in a car and threatened to run her over by revving the engine.

Jones also threw a drink can at her on 30 December before spitting at her. The victim was left with minor injuries after all of the assaults.

Jones, of Hawthorn Road, Folksworth, near Peterborough, was jailed for 42 weeks on Monday (June 22), at Cambridge Crown Court. He had pleaded guilty to four counts of assault and driving without due care and attention, for which he received no separate penalty and nine penalty points on his driving licence. Jones was also handed a restraining order against the victim until 2031.

DC Emily Richardson, who investigated, said: “Jones carried out a horrible campaign violence against the victim so it’s great he’s been brought to justice. I hope he’ll reflect on his actions in prison and think again about behaving this way again in future.”

The mystery surrounding the identity of Everest’s infamous ‘Green Boots’ climber has finally been solved after a DNA test. 

For almost 30 years, the body of the climber – preserved in snow and ice high on the world’s tallest mountain – became a macabre landmark for thousands attempting to reach the summit. 

Known simply as ‘Green Boots’ because of his distinctive bright green mountaineering footwear, still protruding from the snow and ice, the remains have now been identified as Indian climber Dorje Morup, 47.

For decades, many mountaineers believed the body belonged to fellow Indian climber Tsewang Paljor, 28. The DNA comparison has now ended that long-running mystery. 

The identification was confirmed by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) ahead of a bid to recover the body from Everest’s notorious ‘death zone’ at an altitude of more than 8,000 metres.

Officials are seeking a specialist high-altitude rescue team to carry out the dangerous recovery operation from the mountain’s Tibetan side later this summer. 

Morup was part of a six-member ITBP expedition attempting to climb Everest via its north face on May 10, 1996.

When the team was caught in a ferocious blizzard near the summit, three climbers turned back. 

The frozen remains have now been identified as Indian climber Dorje Morup (pictured) 

Morup continued alongside fellow mountaineers Tsewang Paljor, 28, and Tsewang Samanla. 

All three died on the mountain, while eight climbers in total lost their lives in the 1996 Everest disaster.

According to expedition records, the three climbers radioed their team leader at around 3.45pm Nepal time to report that they had reached the summit.

However, later accounts suggested poor visibility may have made it difficult to determine their exact position, raising the possibility that they remained some 430ft below the top.

Soon afterwards, conditions deteriorated dramatically. Ferocious winds battered the mountain, temperatures plunged and visibility shrank to almost nothing.

From below, members of the expedition reportedly spotted two headlamps moving above the Second Step at an altitude of around 28,000ft above sea level.

It would be the last sign of the climbers alive as the three would never return to High Camp.

Because recovering bodies from such extreme altitudes is considered exceptionally dangerous, Morup’s remains were left where he died, with snow and ice preserving them for decades.

Sheltered within a small cave-like recess, his body is curled on its side, apparently after seeking refuge from the mountain’s relentless conditions in his final moments.

The location sat deep within Everest’s so-called ‘death zone’ – the area above 26,000ft where the lack of oxygen places immense strain on the human body and survival can become a minute-by-minute battle.

The identification was confirmed by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) following a DNA comparison ahead of plans to recover the body from Everest’s notorious ‘death zone’ at an altitude of more than 8,000 metres (stock image)

The corpse remained where it lay and over time passing expeditions began referring to the site as Green Boots Cave.

His distinctive green boots made the body instantly recognisable and turned it into one of Everest’s most haunting landmarks, passed by countless climbers on the mountain’s north-east route to the summit.

As Everest expeditions increased during the years that followed, Green Boots became an unsettling but practical point of reference.

Climbers ascending the North-east Ridge knew that reaching the cave meant they had arrived at around 27,890 feet and were approaching the mountain’s final challenges.

Many paused there briefly to rest or check oxygen supplies, and discarded oxygen cylinders accumulated around the site.

Veteran climber Noel Hanna later said: ‘It’s hard to miss the person lying there.’

For some, encountering Green Boots became one of the most disturbing aspects of climbing Everest. For others, the sight reinforced the brutal reality of the challenge they had chosen to undertake.

“But in actual fact, the reality is that British tennis is in a way better position than it was 10 or 15 years ago. In terms of that strength in depth from (the top) 250, we’ve got way more players, and we’ve got some exciting players to come through. On the women’s side, you’ve got Mika Stojsavljevic (17 years old), you’ve got Hannah Klugman (17), and Mimi Xu (18). They are outstanding prospects.

The Three Lions are in Atlanta this afternoon, where, after topping Group L, they are clear favourites against a DR Congo side who will fancy their chances of springing a major upset after frustrating Portugal en route to topping the third-place standings at this expanded tournament.

The annual event, held by Hays Travel, took place at The Fire Station in Sunderland and welcomed colleagues from across Hays Travel’s head office departments for a day of celebration.

The Fire Station’s parade ground was transformed for the occasion, with live music, street food, and cocktails all on offer.

Guests attend the Hays Travel Summer Garden Party at the Fire Station in Sunderland (Image: David James Wood)

The party, which began decades ago at John and Irene’s home, has become a cherished tradition for head office staff.

Jonathon Woodall-Johnston, chief operating officer, opened the festivities with a welcome speech, before guests enjoyed entertainment from band Cool as Vegas and a DJ.

Head office apprentices Talan Heaton and Owen Smith (Image: David James Wood)

Mr Woodall-Johnston said: “This day of the year is really special for Dame Irene and many others.

“It has certainly been a difficult year with what has been happening in the Middle East, but each and everyone of you has supported our customers and each other.”

She said: “We had another memorable day at the Hays Travel Summer Garden Party.

Guests attend the Hays Travel Summer Garden Party at the Fire Station in Sunderland (Image: David James Wood)

“Upholding this much-loved tradition is very important to us as it is a great way to thank our head office colleagues for their hard work behind the scenes.

“As always, I would like to thank the team at the Fire Station for their hospitality.

“As a business we are committed to supporting the communities where we operate, so it is fantastic we can host our event just a stone’s throw away from our Sunderland head office.”

The ‘appalling’ driver drove at more than double the speed limits and went the wrong way around a roundabout

A “dangerous” driver led officers on a pursuit, crashed into a car, and then tried to run from police wearing only one shoe. Cian McCluskey, 31, was speeding in a Ford Transit truck in Bretton Gate, Peterborough, on April 24 when he attracted the attention of officers on patrol.

The officers turned their car around and began following McCluskey, indicating for him to stop. According to Cambridgeshire Police, he did not stop but instead led officers on a pursuit.

He drove at more than double the speed limits, ignored multiple keep left bollards, went through a red light, and drove the wrong way around a roundabout. The pursuit ended in River Lane, near Crescent Bridge, after McCluskey crashed into a parked car.

He ran from the scene in an attempt to flee police, but left a shoe behind. He was soon arrested by officers.

PC Chris Euerby said: “McCluskey’s behaviour was appalling. His dangerous driving put other innocent road users at risk, many of which had to take evasive action to prevent a serious collision.”

McCluskey, of East Cobgate, Moulton, near Spalding, refused to comply with alcohol or drug tests and failed to provide blood for analysis in custody. Further checks confirmed he didn’t have insurance to drive the vehicle.

He admitted dangerous driving, failing to provide a specimen for analysis and driving without insurance. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison, suspended for two years, and banned from driving for three years on Monday, June 29, at Cambridge Crown Court. He was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

PC Euerby added: “I’m pleased the pursuit came to an end before anyone was injured and he has now appeared in court to answer for his actions.”

Manchester City might have already agreed a club record deal for a new midfielder but that doesn’t mean they won’t strengthen further in the middle of the park.

Elliot Anderson’s £116million move will be confirmed in the coming days with the 23-year-old signing from Nottingham Forest.

Midfield is a major area that City are looking to invest in this summer and Anderson’s arrival will help fill the void created by Bernardo Silva’s departure after nine years at the club.

City could add another blockbuster arrival in the middle of the park. The Blues are interested in several midfielders and chief among them are Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali or Lille and Morocco prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The choice facing City when looking at Bouaddi or Tonali is potential vs impact. The latter has proven himself in the Premier League for Newcastle, producing consistent performances in the Premier League and Champions League.

The Italian could slot straight into the City first team with very few concerns about his ability to cope with the style under Enzo Maresca or the intensity of the division.

His passing range and positional sense make him an attractive option while he has the ability to produce all-round displays in the middle of the park. He still needs to develop a goalscoring instinct to his game – having failed to score in the Premier League last term – but he is a combative and classy operator.

Newcastle are seeking £100million for his services and Tottenham had an opening bid rejected. Spurs have now struck a deal for West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes but are still reportedly monitoring Tonali and may well move closer to Newcastle’s asking price for a player who is quiet and unassuming off the pitch but possesses the tenacity and temperament required at the highest level on it.

Bouaddi, meanwhile, has risen to prominence at this World Cup, becoming a breakout star of a likeable Morocco side who are into the last-16 four years on from reaching the semi-finals.

The teenager’s performances have prompted plenty of speculation linking the Lille midfielder with some of the Europe’s biggest clubs and City are keen on the 19-year-old.

But a price tag of £85million means any deal will be expensive, even if there is a suggestion that the French side would lower that figure if Bouaddi returned on loan for the 2026-27 campaign.

The midfielder has impressed at the World Cup with his attacking instincts, work-rate and ability to impose himself on the biggest stage.

He made his debut for Lille at just 16 as a highly rated academy prospect and was magnificent when the French side beat Real Madrid in the Champions League on his 17th birthday.

He’s always been marked out as one for the top of the game and has the box-to-box ability that could thrive in the Premier League. He’s yet to develop a goalscoring instinct, having failed to score for club or country at senior level, but this is a player whose ceiling is high and whose potential has not yet been realised.

He’s proven himself capable in one of Europe’s top five leagues and while a move to England would be a sizeable step up, there’s nothing to suggest the teenager couldn’t handle it. He’s also a grounded individual away from the pitch, a professional who has an interest in maths and a dedication to his sport.

The decision between them rests on that crucial question of the here and now or the future. But given Anderson is arriving as a readymade Premier League performer, Bouaddi looks the better bet, particularly if City can negotiate the fee down, allow him to remain at Lille on loan and then integrate him into the first team picture. The Morocco man has shown at the World Cup he was it takes and looks a player too good to overlook.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky has upgraded its Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle to now include HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu, as well as 135 channels and full Sky coverage of the Premier League and EFL.

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.