Sudipta Biswas

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona registered a narrow 2-1 win over Elche in an away La Liga game on Sunday. Ferran Torres and Memphis Depay scored in the second half to ensure Barcelona's return with full points. Also Read: La Liga: Modric, Camavinga stunners help Madrid romp Sociedad 4-1,Elche took the lead just before half-time when Fidel Chaves intercepted a poor pass from Pedri before racing into the box and striking home. Xavi Hernandez brought in Torres at half-time and the move paid off. The Spanish forward netted an equaliser on the hour mark, poking in from inside the six-yard box. Also Read: João Félix leads Atlético to 3-0 win at Osasuna before Man U test,Barcelona were awarded a penalty on 84 minutes following a handball by Antonio Barragan. Referee Mario Melero Lopez consulted with the VAR before pointing to the spot and Depay made no mistake as he rifled the penalty into the roof of the net. Javier Pastore receives red card ,Elche substitute Javier Pastore received a straight card for dissent following the awarding of the penalty. Also Read: La Liga: Gonzalo Melero, Levante stun Atletico Madrid,Sunday's victory means Barcelona remain in third but have opened a three-point gap over fifth-place Atletico Madrid. Xavi Hernández brought Ferran Torres off the bench to bring more attacking punch as Barçalona searched for an equaliser, and it was the Spanish international himself who gave the team big hopes of a comeback when he was in the right place, at the right time to deflect a shot from Jordi Alba into the net and make it 1-1 with a half-hour to go. Also Read: Ousmane Dembele back in Barcelona squad is best for the team: Manager Xavi Hernandez,Just a few minutes before Ferran’s goal, Marc-André ter Stegen had made a stunning save. ,With 10 minutes remaining in the game, Elche asked for a penalty of their own when the ball touched Alba’s arm after a corner, but he had his back turned to the play and no intent whatsoever to play the ball with his hand, so VAR didn’t recommend a penalty this time. But Elche continue to attack and search for a late equalizer, and Barça showed excellent poise in the final minutes to run out the clock and returned home with full points.

{\"time\":1646590216277,\"strCount\":2921,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/fcbarcelona\\\">Barcelona</a>\\nregistered a narrow 2-1 win over <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/elche\\\">Elche</a> in an away <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/laliga\\\">La Liga </a>game on Sunday. <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/ferrantorres\\\">Ferran Torres</a>\\nand <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/memphisdepay\\\">Memphis Depay</a> scored in the second half to ensure Barcelona's return with\\nfull points.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/la-liga-luka-modric-eduardo-camavinga-stunners-help-real-madrid-secure-4-1-win-vs-real-sociedad\\\">La Liga: Modric, Camavinga stunners help Madrid romp Sociedad 4-1</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Elche\\ntook the lead just before half-time when Fidel Chaves intercepted a poor pass\\nfrom Pedri before racing into the box and striking home.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Xavi\\nHernandez brought in Torres at half-time and the move paid off. The\\nSpanish forward netted an equaliser on the hour mark, poking in from inside the\\nsix-yard box.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/joao-felix-leads-atletico-to-3-0-win-at-osasuna-before-man-u-test\\\">João Félix leads Atlético to 3-0 win at Osasuna before Man U test</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Barcelona\\nwere awarded a penalty on 84 minutes following a handball by Antonio Barragan.\\nReferee Mario Melero Lopez consulted with the VAR before pointing to the spot\\nand Depay made no mistake as he rifled the penalty into the roof of the net.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>Javier Pastore receives red card&nbsp;</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Elche\\nsubstitute Javier Pastore received a straight card for dissent following the\\nawarding of the penalty.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/la-liga-gonzalo-melero-levante-stun-atletico-madrid\\\">La Liga: Gonzalo Melero, Levante stun Atletico Madrid</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Sunday's\\nvictory means Barcelona remain in third but have opened a three-point gap over\\nfifth-place Atletico Madrid.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Xavi\\nHernández brought Ferran Torres off the bench to bring more attacking punch as\\nBarçalona searched for an equaliser, and it was the Spanish international\\nhimself who gave the team big hopes of a comeback when he was in the right\\nplace, at the right time to deflect a shot from Jordi Alba into the net and\\nmake it 1-1 with a half-hour to go.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/ousmane-dembele-back-in-barcelona-squad-is-best-for-the-team-manager-xavi-hernandez\\\">Ousmane Dembele back in Barcelona squad is best for the team: Manager Xavi Hernandez</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Just\\na few minutes before Ferran’s goal, Marc-André ter Stegen had made a stunning\\nsave. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"With\\n10 minutes remaining in the game, Elche asked for a penalty of their own when\\nthe ball touched Alba’s arm after a corner, but he had his back turned to the\\nplay and no intent whatsoever to play the ball with his hand, so VAR didn’t\\nrecommend a penalty this time. But Elche continue to attack and search for a\\nlate equalizer, and Barça showed excellent poise in the final minutes to run\\nout the clock and returned home with full points.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Barcelona were trailing 0-1 in the first half, with Fidel Chaves scoring for Elche</li>
  <li>In the second half, Ferran Torres scored the equaliser while Memphis Depay scored the winner</li>
  <li>Barcelona are currently at the third position on the La Liga points table</li>
</ul>

Opoyi Central

Ferran Torres, Memphis Depay score as Barcelona beat Elche 2-1 in away game

FCBarcelona

MemphisDepay

FerranTorres

Elche

Laliga

Football

Footballer

New Delhi, Delhi, India

FIFA’s proposal to make the World Cup a biennial event faced rejection as around 75 % of footballers voiced their opinion in favour of four year World Cup, a new survey revealed. FIFA has long been planning to cut the gap between showpiece tournaments to two years as part of wider reforms of the international match calendar. Also Read: Abandoned Brazil vs Argentina WC qualifier to be replayed, players given bans,However, the survey conducted by the world players’ union FIFPRO received opinions from more than 1,000 male footballers from across six continents and more than 70 nationalities representing the most significant indication yet of footballers' opposition to those proposals. Also Read: USMNT one step closer to Qatar 2022 with 3-0 win vs Honduras,FIFPRO found that in October and November last year 77 % of players in both Europe and Asia supported the status quo, dropping to 63 % in the Americas. In Africa, 49 % of African players favoured four-yearly World Cups, with the remainder split between playing the tournament every two or three years. FIFPRO did add though that 'a demand exists, particularly in smaller and medium-sized markets, to further develop and strengthen national team competitions'. Also Read: Argentina edge Colombia in World Cup qualifier, Brazil rout Paraguay,'This is in line with FIFPRO's position on encouraging investment into regional competitions, based on the requirements of the local market,' a statement from the union read. World Cup in the current cycle is favourite among 81 % ,81 % of players ranked either their domestic league or the World Cup, in its current four-year cycle, as their favourite competition. Also Read: Qatar World Cup 2022 ticket sales to open, starting at $70,It also found that only 21 per cent of players believe their voice is respected and that their well-being is adequately considered in the context of international football governance. “The player survey shows most footballers around the world have a clear preference to play the World Cup every four years, said Jonas Baer-Hoffmann, FIFPRO general secretary. Also Read: Christian Eriksen wants to play at Qatar 2022, says he is back to full fitness,“At the same time, the results demonstrate the importance of domestic league competitions to players. These leagues are the bedrock of our game and we have to do more to strengthen them both for the sake of players and the overall stability of professional football.

{\"time\":1644931813509,\"strCount\":3126,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/fifa\\\">FIFA’s</a> proposal to make the <a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/topic/fifaworldcup\\\">World Cup</a> a biennial event\\nfaced rejection as around 75 % of footballers voiced their opinion in favour of\\nfour year World Cup, a new survey revealed. FIFA has long been planning to cut\\nthe gap between showpiece tournaments to two years as part of wider reforms of\\nthe international match calendar.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/abandoned-brazil-vs-argentina-world-cup-qualifier-to-be-replayed-players-given-bans\\\">Abandoned Brazil vs Argentina WC qualifier to be replayed, players given bans</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"However, the survey conducted by the world players’\\nunion FIFPRO received opinions from more than 1,000 male footballers from across six\\ncontinents and more than 70 nationalities representing the most significant\\nindication yet of footballers' opposition to those proposals.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/usmnt-one-step-closer-to-2022-qatar-fifa-world-cup-with-3-0-win-vs-honduras\\\">USMNT one step closer to Qatar 2022 with 3-0 win vs Honduras</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"FIFPRO found that in October and November last year 77\\n% of players in both Europe and Asia supported the status quo, dropping\\nto 63 % in the Americas. In Africa, 49 % of African players favoured\\nfour-yearly World Cups, with the remainder split between playing the tournament\\nevery two or three years.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"FIFPRO did add though that 'a demand exists,\\nparticularly in smaller and medium-sized markets, to further develop and\\nstrengthen national team competitions'.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/argentina-edge-colombia-in-world-cup-qualifier-brazil-rout-paraguay\\\">Argentina edge Colombia in World Cup qualifier, Brazil rout Paraguay</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"'This is in line with FIFPRO's position on encouraging\\ninvestment into regional competitions, based on the requirements of the local\\nmarket,' a statement from the union read.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"<b>World Cup in the current cycle is favourite among 81 %\\n</b>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"81 % of players ranked either their domestic league or the\\nWorld Cup, in its current four-year cycle, as their favourite competition.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/qatar-world-cup-2022-ticket-sales-to-open-starting-at-70\\\">Qatar World Cup 2022 ticket sales to open, starting at $70</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"It also found that only 21 per cent of players believe\\ntheir voice is respected and that their well-being is adequately considered in\\nthe context of international football governance.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“The player survey shows most footballers around the\\nworld have a clear preference to play the World Cup every four years, said\\nJonas Baer-Hoffmann, FIFPRO general secretary.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/christian-eriksen-wants-to-play-at-qatar-2022-says-he-is-back-to-full-fitness\\\">Christian Eriksen wants to play at Qatar 2022, says he is back to full fitness</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"“At the same time, the results demonstrate the\\nimportance of domestic league competitions to players. These leagues are the\\nbedrock of our game and we have to do more to strengthen them both for the sake\\nof players and the overall stability of professional football.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>The survey was conducted among 1000 footballers by FIFPRO</li>
  <li>63 % in the Americas and 49 % in Africa favoured four-yearly World Cups</li>
  <li>81 % of players ranked either their domestic league or the World Cup as their favourite competition</li>
</ul>

Host FIFA World Cup every four years, say 75% of footballers: FIFPRO survey

FIFAWorldCup

survey

Sports

London, UK

West Ham forward Michail Antonio has raised a question in reaction to the Kurt Zouma cat-kicking incident, asking if it is worse than players convicted of racism?. Also Read: West Ham’s Kurt Zouma loses Adidas deal for abusing pet cat,RSPCA has taken Zouma's cats into their custody after a video emerged of him hitting, dropping, and kicking his pet across his kitchen floor went viral on Monday. In the wake of criticism, 27-year-old West Ham defender issued an apology but Essex Police confirmed that urgent enquiries were underway in conjunction with the RSPCA. Also Read: West Ham's Kurt Zouma will not face police probe for abusing his cat,West Ham, meanwhile, fined Zouma £250,000 which will be donated to animal welfare charities. ,The footballer has also lost his sponsorship deal with Adidas. Also Read: Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule joins Borussia Dortmund in long-term deal,In France, animal rights group the 30 Million Friends Foundation condemned the heinous act and called for Zouma to be suspended from the national team. Asked about the reaction of the Zouma kicking cats, Antonio responded, I've got a question for you. Do you think what he's done is worse than racism?,Also Read: Luis Diaz shines, Elliott scores on return in Liverpool's 3-1 FA Cup win,I'm not condoning a thing that he's done. I don't agree with what he has done at all. But there's people that have been convicted and been caught for racism, and have played football afterwards. They got an eight-game punishment or something like that, but people are now calling for people to be sacked and to lose their livelihood. Also Read: Jesse Lingard to stay at Manchester United to fill in for suspended Mason Greenwood,I've just got to ask this question to everyone out there: is what he's [Zouma] done worse than what the people convicted of racism done?,West Ham manager David Moyes, however, said Zouma would remain available for selection while the club's internal investigation ran its course. Also Read: Barcelona sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a three-year deal,Our priority is and has always been the wellbeing of these cats, an RSPCA spokesperson said. They've been taken for a check-up at a vets and then will remain in our care while the investigation continues. We're grateful to everyone who expressed their concern for these cats. We were dealing with this issue before the video went viral online and are leading the investigation. Also Read: Premier League clubs spend £295 million in landmark January transfer window,We continue to investigate so we cannot comment further at this time. West Ham United confirmed the club is continuing to support an RSPCA investigation.

{\"time\":1644500263265,\"strCount\":3539,\"blocks\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"West Ham forward Michail Antonio has raised a\\nquestion in reaction to the Kurt Zouma cat-kicking incident, asking if it is \\\"worse than players convicted of racism?\\\".\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/west-hams-kurt-zouma-loses-adidas-deal-for-abusing-pet-cat\\\">West Ham’s Kurt Zouma loses Adidas deal for abusing pet cat</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"RSPCA has taken Zouma's cats into their custody\\nafter a video emerged of him hitting, dropping, and kicking his pet across his\\nkitchen floor went viral on Monday.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In the wake of criticism, 27-year-old West Ham\\ndefender issued an apology but Essex Police confirmed that \\\"urgent\\nenquiries\\\" were underway in conjunction with the RSPCA.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/west-hams-kurt-zouma-will-not-face-police-investigation-for-abusing-his-cat\\\">West Ham's Kurt Zouma will not face police probe for abusing his cat</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"West Ham, meanwhile, fined Zouma £250,000 which will\\nbe donated to animal welfare charities. \"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"The footballer has also lost his sponsorship deal\\nwith Adidas.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/bayern-munich-defender-niklas-sule-joins-borussia-dortmund-in-long-term-deal\\\">Bayern Munich defender Niklas Sule joins Borussia Dortmund in long-term deal</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"In France, animal rights group the 30 Million\\nFriends Foundation condemned the \\\"heinous act\\\" and called for Zouma\\nto be suspended from the national team.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Asked about the reaction of the Zouma kicking cats,\\nAntonio responded, \\\"I've got a question for you. Do you think what he's\\ndone is worse than racism?\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/fa-cup-luis-diaz-shines-harvey-elliott-scores-on-return-in-liverpools-3-1-win-over-cardiff-city\\\">Luis Diaz shines, Elliott scores on return in Liverpool's 3-1 FA Cup win</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"I'm not condoning a thing that he's done. I\\ndon't agree with what he has done at all.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"But there's people that have been convicted\\nand been caught for racism, and have played football afterwards. They got an\\neight-game punishment or something like that, but people are now calling for\\npeople to be sacked and to lose their livelihood.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/jesse-lingard-to-stay-at-manchester-united-to-fill-in-for-suspended-mason-greenwood\\\">Jesse Lingard to stay at Manchester United to fill in for suspended Mason Greenwood</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"I've just got to ask this question to everyone\\nout there: is what he's [Zouma] done worse than what the people convicted of\\nracism done?\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"West Ham manager David Moyes, however, said Zouma\\nwould remain available for selection while the club's internal investigation\\nran its course.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/barcelona-sign-pierre-emerick-aubameyang-on-a-three-year-deal\\\">Barcelona sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a three-year deal</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"Our priority is and has always been the\\nwellbeing of these cats,\\\" an RSPCA spokesperson said.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"They've been taken for a check-up at a vets\\nand then will remain in our care while the investigation continues.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"We're grateful to everyone who expressed their\\nconcern for these cats. We were dealing with this issue before the video went\\nviral online and are leading the investigation.\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"Also Read:&nbsp;<a href=\\\"https://opoyi.com/english/premier-league-clubs-spend-295-million-in-landmark-january-transfer-window\\\">Premier League clubs spend £295 million in landmark January transfer window</a>\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"\\\"We continue to investigate so we cannot\\ncomment further at this time.\\\"\"}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"data\":{\"text\":\"West Ham United confirmed the club is continuing to\\nsupport an RSPCA investigation.\"}}]}

<ul>
  <li>Kurt Zouma was fined £250,000 by West Ham</li>
  <li>Adidas cancelled sponsorship deal with Zouma</li>
  <li>Zouma, however, continues to play for West Ham</li>
</ul>

#Footballer

Ferran Torres, Memphis Depay score as Barcelona beat Elche 2-1 in away game

Host FIFA World Cup every four years, say 75% of footballers: FIFPRO survey

'Is it worse than racism?': Michail Antonio hits back at Kurt Zouma critics