Weekly news roundup & weekend watches 17/10

Jonathan Victoria • 17 Oct 2024 News

Pogba speaks on his return, Doctor Who reports & more…

Pogba speaks on ban for first time

Paul Pogba spoke for the first time on UK TV to Sky Sports since his ban for a doping offence, following the decision to reduce his ban which will see him return to football in March 2025.

Originally given a four-year ban before seeing a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the France superstar will be allowed to return to training in January and is eyeing a return to playing in March while he is still under contract with Juventus.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports for the first time since the ban decision, Pogba reiterated his innocence, as he did on social media when it was first announced, stating during his interview “I am not a cheater.”

The interview breaks down the situation that led up to the ban and his subsequent feelings towards the decision. But aside from everything that has happened, he doubled down on his preparedness for his return, setting his sights on returning to the France national squad as his main goal.

Rumoured details for Nolan’s next film 

It has recently been confirmed that Christopher Nolan, the legendary director behind iconic films and franchises such as 2023’s serial award-winner Oppenheimer and the critically acclaimed Dark Knight Trilogy, is working on a new project with Universal.

Alongside that confirmation, it is also known that he will link up once again with one of his favourite go-to actors, Matt Damon.

But other than that, not too many details are known to be confirmed yet. However, rumours do run riot, and one such states that the next film might not be in the sci-fi genre.

While Nolan’s best works have been in that genre, his most recent works - outside of 2020s Tenet - haven’t been sci-fi flicks. Oppenheimer was an incredible biographical drama film, while 2017s Dunkirk was a historical WWII thriller.

It is said from the rumour, which comes from Variety, that the film may be in the espionage genre. Nolan has expressed that he once contemplated making a James Bond movie, so there is credence 

NFL stars reunited following trade

The New York Jets have acquired wide receiver Davante Adams from the Las Vegas Raiders in a trade that reunites the six-time Pro Bowler with the Jets’ star quarterback, four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.

The pair once were a formidable duo while playing together with the Green Bay Packers before Adams departed in 2022 for the Raiders. Rodger would leave himself the following year, being traded to the Jets in 2023.

Adams spent two full season with the Raiders, his first seeing him post his second-best career stats for receiving yards and touchdowns. His second saw lower numbers but ones that were still respectable, although the Raiders themselves failed to make the playoffs once again.

As for Rodgers, his Jets debut season last year was cut short after an Achilles tendon rupture just four snaps into his first game. He spent the year on the sidelines before returning this year, although the Jets have not lived up to people’s expectations so far.

While both superstars are past their prime, their already well-formed relationship and partnership could prove fruitful and may help change the flailing New York teams’ fortunes.

Ncuti Gatwa to leave Doctor Who, report claims

A report from Deadline claims that new star Ncuti Gatwa’s time as the titular Doctor Who may be short-lived.

Doctor Who returned to our screens with the former Sex Education actor in the lead role for season 14. He will be returning in the already filmed season 15, along side Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday, but any further involvement after that is yet to be seen.

Gatwa recently appeared on The Graham Norton Show, where he spoke about updates to the iconic show. It is reported that his original statement said he is slated to film Doctor Who season 16 next year, and while that statement was given to the press, it was then edited during the final broadcast of the talk show.

The changed statement and most recent update are keeping things rather vague, stating that it does not mean that Gatwa is not in Doctor Who season 16, just that they have not begun filming yet. 

Weekend watches

The return of the Formula 1 and the Premier League are the highlights for this weekend, both being tasty watches you won’t want to miss.

Formula 1 United States Grand Prix | Friday 18th - Sunday 20th | Sky Sports F1 HD

The final quarter of the season begins after three weekends without a race, and we’re in for a treat as the America’s triple header gets things underway again, starting with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the America’s.

It’s do-or-die time for both Max Verstappen and Lando Norris in their efforts for championship glory, the former looking to hold onto the lead he’s had all season while the latter aiming for a sensational ending to this remarkable season. 

Liverpool vs Chelsea | Sunday 20th @ 4:30pm | Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League

You can take your pick for Premier League games this weekend, with a London derby in the early kickoff on Saturday between Tottenham and West Ham being a decent fixture, but nothing will compare to Super Sunday’s highlight game.

Liverpool and Chelsea have made it a habit to put on a show each time they match up in recent years, and this weekend is likely to be no different.