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☆ Vinícius Jr.: Barcelona board member writes then deletes derogatory social media post about Real Madrid star
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —FC Barcelona coach Xavi said that he hopes Saturday’s El Clásico can be played with “mutual admiration” after a board member at the club deleted a derogatory social media post about Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr. Neither Real Madrid nor Vinícius have publicly commented on the tweet. Vinícius testified earlier this month in a Spanish court about a racist incident which took place in the Mestalla Stadium when Madrid played Valencia. Footage and pictures widely posted on social media show a man performing monkey gestures towards Vinícius during the match. CNN has contacted Real Madrid and Vinícius for comment.

Persons: Xavi, Saturday’s El, ”, Vinícius Jr, Miquel Camps, Vinícius, Camps, “, Real, Raphinha, Kevin Langley, We’ve, Saturday’s, Sevilla, Rafael Yuste, Movistar, Yuste, Rodrygo, Florentino Pérez Organizations: CNN — FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Madrid’s Champions League, Sporting Braga, CNN, Los Blancos, Sevilla, Madrid, Valencia, Shakhtar Donetsk, La Liga, Real, Sevilla FC, ”, Shakhtar, Braga Locations: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Arlington , Texas

☆ Barcelona's Torres and Lopez on target in 2-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 25 (Reuters) - First-half goals from Ferran Torres and Fermin Lopez helped Barcelona secure a 2-1 home win against Shakhtar Donetsk in their Champions League Group H tie on Wednesday night. The goal was initially ruled out for a hint of an offside in the build up, but a VAR check confirmed that Lopez was onside when he struck from inside the box. Barca then missed several chances to stretch out their lead, with Lopez hitting the post twice more and having two goals ruled out by VAR for tight offsides. I'm happy for the win and for helping out with a goal," man of the match Lopez told Movistar Plus. "Xavi told us that winning today would be key to get closer to securing a place in the knock-outs.

Persons: Ferran Torres, Fermin Lopez, Torres, Lopez, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, Sergi Roberto, Frenkie De Jong, Jules Kounde, Gavi, Xavi Hernandez, Barca, Georgiy Sudakov, Xavi, Fernando Kallas, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Barcelona, Shakhtar Donetsk, Champions League Group, FC Porto, Barca, Shakhtar, Movistar, Antwerp, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Porto

☆ Injuries and Clasico no excuse for Barca, says Xavi
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 24 (Reuters) - Barcelona cannot use their injury crisis and their upcoming league game against Real Madrid as excuses for a poor performance in a midweek Champions League clash against Shakhtar Donetsk, coach Xavi Hernandez warned on Tuesday. Barcelona top Champions League Group H with six points after winning their first two games without conceding a goal. Despite their more comfortable position in their Champions League group, Xavi said Wednesday's home clash with Shakhtar was vital, telling reporters: "The three points tomorrow against Shakhtar are key for our objective. "This is the Champions League, the biggest competition there is for clubs and for us getting nine points from nine is very important. "I remain optimistic that some of them will make Saturday's game (against Real)," Xavi said.

Persons: Xavi Hernandez, Portugal's Porto, Xavi, Robert Lewandowski, Sergi Roberto, Jules Kounde, Frenkie De Jong, Aadi Nair, Clare Fallon Organizations: Real Madrid, League, Shakhtar Donetsk, Barcelona, Champions League Group, Shakhtar, Real, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, LaLiga, Girona, Bengaluru

☆ Barcelona get ready to rock with Rolling Stones logo on shirt for Clasico
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Music streaming service Spotify have sponsored Barcelona since the 2021/22 season, and the club have previously had campaigns featuring Drake and Spanish singer Rosalia, but now rock fans can finally get some satisfaction. "FC Barcelona and Spotify have done it again. "The Tongue and Lips logo of The Rolling Stones (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood) will replace the Spotify logo on the legendary FC Barcelona kit." The Rolling Stones' latest album, Hackney Diamonds, is released on Friday, and the jersey will be available to buy from Oct. 23. "We're big football fans and we're honoured that Spotify has put our Tongue & Lips logo on the FC Barcelona jersey to celebrate the release of the Stones' new album 'Hackney Diamonds'," the Rolling Stones said.

Persons: Ronnie Wood, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Drake, Rosalia, Barca's, we're, Trevor Stynes, Toby Davis Organizations: FC Barcelona, Clasico, Real Madrid, Spotify, Barca, El Clasico, Hackney Diamonds, Sevilla, Thomson Locations: Catalan, Barcelona, Spanish

☆ Joan Laporta: FC Barcelona president under investigation for bribery and other crimes, according to court document
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Matias Grez | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta is officially being investigated as a “suspect” in the ongoing alleged improper payment scandal, according to court documents obtained by CNN – the latest twist in a scandal overshadowing the club and Spanish soccer. The investigation relates to alleged improper payments made by Barça to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former leading refereeing official in Spain. CNN has reached out to FC Barcelona for comment from Laporta but has yet to hear back. Laporta began his second term as club president in 2021. “As such, the statute of limitations of the crimes referred to previously has not expired in respect to [Laporta], as well as those people who were members of the Board of Directors of FC Barcelona respectively during his leadership,” Wednesday’s court document read.

Persons: Joan Laporta, ”, Barça, Judge Joaquín Aguirre López, Enríquez Negreira, Javier, Aguirre López, “, –, Judge Aguirre López, Negreira, invoiced, Blaugrana, Xavi, Caso, Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Laporta’s, Laporta, Pau Mosquera Organizations: CNN — FC Barcelona, CNN, Spanish, 1st, FC Barcelona, Mundo Deportivo, Caso, Prosecutors, CTA, Osasuna, Barcelona, Estadio El Locations: Spain, Barcelona, Spanish, Estadio El Sadar

☆ Lamine Yamal: Barcelona’s teenage star is ‘touched by the wand of God’
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Now, after a record-breaking year, almost everyone in world soccer is aware of Lamine Yamal. In April, at 15 years and 290 days, he became the youngest player to appear in a competitive fixture for the Blaugrana. When his star started to shine, questions were asked about which national team he would choose to represent. Unhelpful comparisonsDealing with such praise and adulation could be tricky for Yamal as he navigates the world of professional soccer. Yamal joined the Barcelona youth ranks at the age of seven, according to FIFA.

Persons: It’s, Yamal, Felipe Mondino, Luis de la Fuente, “, De la Fuente, ”, Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Barcelona’s, Fati, David Ramos, Pedri, Xavi, ” Xavi, Messi, Ballon Organizations: CNN, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund’s Youssoufa, Spanish national, Georgia, La Liga, Granada, Barcelona, Spanish, Premier League, Brighton, FIFA, ESPN Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Moroccan, Equatorial Guinea, Nou

☆ Level-headed Xavi relishing 100th game as Barca coach
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 3 (Reuters) - Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez is taking things in his stride with the Spanish champions as he prepares to celebrate his 100th game as their manager at Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday. The 43-year-old said that at Barca he had learned to compete in different ways and deal with things more naturally. "I have learned not to be too euphoric when things are going well or too defeatist," Xavi told a news conference on Tuesday. "There is faith, there is hope that we can be at the level required to play and coach Barca. "Many players have more years of experience, we've been working with them for longer, and (we've) have made good reinforcements".

Persons: Barcelona's Xavi Hernandez, Xavi, Barca, Marc, Andre, Ter Stegen, Robert, Lewandowski, Gundogan, Alejandro, Balde, Fermin, Lopez, we've, Angelica Medina, Ken Ferris Organizations: Porto, Champions League, Barca, Antwerp, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Europe, Mexico City

☆ Ramos gifts Barca win over Sevilla amid boardroom tensions between clubs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BARCELONA, Sept 29 (Reuters) - Barcelona moved provisionally top of LaLiga with a 1-0 home win over Sevilla on Friday after veteran defender Sergio Ramos accidentally bundled the ball into his own net in the second half. But a loud cheer rang out at the Montjuic Olympic Stadium, Barca's temporary home ground, after the 37-year-old's own goal. "When the opponent accumulates so many people in the box it's very difficult to defend for so long without making a mistake. Sergio (Ramos) was there to clear the ball, it was a whimsical goal," said Sevilla coach Jose Luis Mendilibar. The result moved Barca one point clear of Girona, who are second with a game in hand, while Sevilla are 12th.

Persons: Sergio Ramos, Ramos, Sergio, Jose Luis Mendilibar, Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, Sevilla, Joao Felix, Gavi, Lucas Ocampos, Robert Lewandowski, Juanlu Sanchez, Barca, It's, Sergio's, Xavi Hernandez, Rohith Nair, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Sevilla, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Barca, Thomson Locations: BARCELONA, Barcelona, Girona, Sevilla, Bengaluru

CNN —FC Barcelona and several of the soccer club’s current and former executives are officially being investigated as suspects for “the sustained crime of active bribery,” according to a court document obtained by CNN – the latest twist in an alleged improper payment scandal overshadowing Spanish soccer. The investigation relates to alleged improper payments made by Barcelona to José María Enríquez Negreira, a former leading refereeing official in Spain. The spokesperson declined to share more details about the search but said that no arrests are expected to be made. He added that in his opinion the payments “produced the desired effects on referees,” resulting in “consequent systemic corruption in … Spanish refereeing” affecting soccer in the country. CNN has reached out to Negreira via his company for comment but did not immediately receive a response.

Persons: “, –, Javier Soriano, invoiced, Negreira, ” Judge Joaquín Aguirre López, Aguirre López, ”, Barça, Caso, Xavi, Juan Manuel Serrano Arce, Javier Tebas, Los Blancos, CNN’s Matt Foster Organizations: CNN — FC Barcelona, CNN, Spain’s Civil Guard, Royal Spanish Football Federation, Guardia Civil, An FC Barcelona, Caso, Spanish, AFP, Getty, Prosecutors, CTA, 1st, La Liga, Barcelona, Osasuna, Civil Guard, Real, Real Madrid, UEFA Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Guardia, Spanish, Real Madrid

☆ Barcelona salvages 2-2 comeback draw against Mallorca
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Barcelona continued its unbeaten start to the season but dropped points at the top of La Liga with an eventful 2-2 draw against Mallorca. Goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen gifted Mallorca the game’s opening goal inside 10 minutes as he failed to clear the ball from Barça’s box, enabling Vedat Muriqi to find the back of the net. But it was Mallorca which got the game’s next goal in added time when Muriqi’s header allowed Abdón Prats to squeeze a shot past ter Stegen. “We gifted too much,” Barcelona coach Xavi said after the game. “We made uncharacteristic mistakes … We did have chances, but it was a tough struggle back into the game.

Persons: Marc, André ter Stegen, Vedat Muriqi, João Félix, Abdón Prats, ter, Félix, Lamine Yamal, Fermin López, Raphinha’s, Robert Lewandowski, Barça, Barcelona's Jules Koundé dribbles, Cristian Trujillo, “, Xavi, ” Barça Organizations: CNN — Barcelona, La Liga, Mallorca, Real Madrid, ”, Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano Locations: Mallorca, Spanish, Girona, Real, ” Barcelona

☆ Barcelona held to 2-2 draw at Mallorca
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Barcelona twice fought back to secure a 2-2 draw at Mallorca on Tuesday, maintaining their unbeaten start to the LaLiga season. We are giving too many chances," Barcelona midfielder Oriol Romeu told DAZN. Mallorca took their foot off the gas in the second half and Barca substitute Fermin Lopez tapped home Raphinha's low cross from the right to make it 2-2 in the 75th minute. "The problem was our defensive errors, these are improper mistakes that shouldn't happen, especially in this type of tight, intense match," Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said. Barcelona host Sevilla on Friday, before travelling to Porto for their second Champions League group stage match.

Persons: We've, Oriol Romeu, DAZN, Vedat Muriqi, Marc, Andre ter Stegen, Raphinha, Abdon Prats, Mallorca's, Predrag Rajkovic's, Fermin Lopez, Xavi Hernandez, Janina Nuno Rios, Toby Davis Organizations: PALMA DE MALLORCA, Mallorca, Barca, Wednesday, Villarreal, Real Madrid, Las Palmas, Barcelona, Sevilla, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Girona, Real, Porto, Mexico

☆ Injured De Jong out until international break, says Barca's Xavi
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 26 (Reuters) - Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong will not return to action until after the next international break at the earliest after picking up an ankle injury at the weekend, manager Xavi said. The 26-year-old Netherlands midfielder had played every minute of Barcelona's LaLiga matches so far this season before being substituted in the first half against Celta Vigo on Saturday. They visit Granada in the league on Oct. 8 before the break. Xavi said he will have to rotate his squad for upcoming matches, with midfielder Pedri also nursing a thigh injury. "We will rotate not just for the Champions League, but also for the next LaLiga game," he added.

Persons: de Jong, Xavi, it's, Pedri, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Celta Vigo, Real Mallorca, Sevilla, Champions League, Porto, Granada, Thomson Locations: Netherlands, Barcelona, Bengaluru

☆ Lewandowski and Cancelo strike as Barca snatch 3-2 win over Celta
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BARCELONA, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Robert Lewandowski scored a quickfire double before Joao Cancelo sealed a last-gasp 3-2 win for Barcelona over Celta Vigo in a LaLiga clash at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday. The win provisionally moves Barcelona to the top of the league standings with 16 points from six games, one point ahead of Real Madrid who face local rivals Atletico Madrid on Sunday. We played with faith, with courage, although we were a bit sloppy at times," Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez said. Strand Larsen nearly doubled his tally just before half-time but the Norwegian's bullet header was thwarted by Ter Stegen. Cancelo then ghosted between two Celta defenders to get on the end of Gavi's inch-perfect cross to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and seal a fifth straight league win for Barca.

Persons: Robert Lewandowski, Joao Cancelo, Lluis Companys, Xavi Hernandez, It's, Iago Aspas, Andre ter Stegen, Jorgen Strand Larsen, Ter, Luca de la Torre, Strand Larsen, Ter Stegen, Xavi, Lamine Yamal, Ronald Araujo, Tasos Douvikas, Lewandowski, Ivan Villar, Cancelo, Aadi Nair, Clare Fallon Organizations: Barcelona, Celta Vigo, Atletico Madrid, Sunday, Celta, Royal, Real Betis, Barca, Thomson Locations: BARCELONA, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Royal Antwerp, Ter Stegen's, Bengaluru

☆ Xavi signs contract extension with Barcelona until 2025
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Sept 22 (Reuters) - Coach Xavi Hernandez has extended his contract with Barcelona until 2025 with an option for a further year, the LaLiga club said on Friday. The 43-year-old manager arrived at Barcelona on a three-year deal following the departure of Dutchman Ronald Koeman at the end of 2021. Former Spain international Xavi has coached Barca in 96 games, with 61 wins, 16 draws and 19 losses. Barca academy product Xavi spent 17 years as a player with the Catalan side, winning 25 trophies - including eight LaLiga titles and four Champions Leagues - in 767 appearances. Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Xavi Hernandez, Dutchman Ronald Koeman, Xavi, Janina Nuno Rios, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Barcelona, Spain, Barca, Spanish, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Barca, Mexico City

☆ Spain's 16-year-old Yamal becomes country's youngest player and scorer
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

TBILISI, Georgia, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal became Spain's youngest international and goalscorer aged 16 years and 57 days as he made his debut away to Georgia in their Euro 2024 qualifier on Friday. Gavi had broken Angel Zubieta's record (17 years 284 days), which had stood for nearly 85 years. Yamal later scored Spain's seventh goal with a tidy finish from inside the box to put the 2023 UEFA Nations League champions 7-1 ahead. Yamal, who has a Moroccan father, was born and raised in Spain. Reporting by Fernando Kallas in Madrid Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lamine Yamal, Yamal, Marco Asensio, Gavi, Angel, Luis de la Fuente, Fernando Kallas, Toby Davis Organizations: Barca, UEFA Nations League, Georgia, Villarreal, Thomson Locations: TBILISI, Georgia, Barcelona, Spain, Cyprus, LaLiga, Moroccan, Madrid

☆ Cristiano Ronaldo says his long-standing ‘rivalry’ with Lionel Messi is over
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-07 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | Vasco Cotovio | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi? But according to Ronaldo himself, the “rivalry” between the pair has disappeared since they swapped European clubs for pastures new – Ronaldo moving to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Messi to Inter Miami in the US. Those who like Cristiano Ronaldo don’t have to hate Messi. Ronaldo and Messi spent the height of their careers playing in Spain for Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively, which helped to heighten the rivalry between the players – and their fans. Messi also added 10 LaLiga titles and Ronaldo won two.

Persons: CNN — Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo don’t, Messi, They’re, Blancos, Ballon, – Ronaldo, “, ” Ronaldo, I’ve, ” Messi, Tim Nwachukwu, ”, “ It’s, Ahmed Yosri, Neymar, Karim Benzema, N’Golo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mané, Marcelo Brozović Organizations: CNN, Messi, Inter Miami, Portugal, Real Madrid, League, Spanish, MLS, Saudi Pro League, Reuters, “ Locations: Al, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Barcelona

☆ Barcelona sign Portuguese defender Cancelo from Man City
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Sept 1 (Reuters) - Barcelona have signed Portuguese full back Joao Cancelo from Premier League champions Manchester City on loan until June 2024, both clubs said on Friday. "The Club wishes to thank the player publicly for the financial effort made and his desire to wear the Barca shirt," the LaLiga club said in a statement. The 29-year-old joined City from Juventus in 2019 and made a total of 154 appearances, scoring nine goals and providing 22 assists, before going on loan in January to Bayern Munich. Cancelo will now be reunited with former City captain Ilkay Gundogan, who also joined the Spanish club on a free transfer following his departure from the treble winners. Reporting by Angelica Medina in Mexico City; editing by Martyn HermanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joao Cancelo, Cancelo, Pep Guardiola's, Ilkay Gundogan, Angelica Medina, Martyn Herman Our Organizations: Premier League, Manchester City, City, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Portugal, UEFA Nations League, Spanish, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Portuguese, Mexico City

☆ Barcelona's 16-year-old Yamal gets first senior Spain call-up
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

MADRID, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Barcelona's 16-year-old forward Lamine Yamal received a first senior call-up for Spain, as manager Luis de la Fuente named his squad on Friday for next week's Euro 2024 Group A matches against Georgia and Cyprus. Yamal, who has a Moroccan father, was born and raised in Spain. He is a Spain youth international and his call-up for the senior side will end the hopes of Moroccan fans that he could be persuaded to switch allegiance. He was a stalwart of Spain's youth teams and is a footballer with exceptional power. Reporting by Fernando Kallas Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Lamine Yamal, Luis de la Fuente, Yamal, De la Fuente, Kepa Arrizabalaga, David de Gea, Unai Simon, Kepa, David Raya, Dani Carvajal, Aymeric Laporte, Cesar Azpilicueta, Robin Le Normand, David Garcia, Pau Torres, Alejandro Balde, Rodri, Martin Zubimendi, Fabian Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Alex Baena, Dani Olmo, Alvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Lamine, Nico Williams, Abel Ruiz, Fernando Kallas, Toby Davis Organizations: Georgia, Villarreal, Manchester United, Athletic, Arsenal, Thomson Locations: MADRID, Spain, Cyprus, LaLiga, Moroccan, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Gaya

☆ Andrés Iniesta: Soccer legend on Lionel Messi and his own new adventure in the UAE
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Ben Church | Becky Anderson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —In his prime, Andrés Iniesta was widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in history. After leaving Spain, Iniesta signed for Japanese club Vissel Kobe and enjoyed reasonable success in following five years. Mohamed Farag/Getty ImagesAmid interest from around the world, including Major League Soccer (MLS), Iniesta eventually signed a one-year deal with UAE side Emirates Club. There were reports earlier this year that Iniesta may team up with Lionel Messi in the MLS, although it didn't materialize. “Football is a global sport, it’s a world sport where everybody would like to have different football players,” he said.

Persons: CNN —, Iniesta, – La Roja, Mohamed Farag, ” Iniesta, CNN’s Becky Anderson, “, I’m, he’s, Lionel Messi, Mike Hewitt, – Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Germain, Messi, ”, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema Organizations: CNN, Spain, Vissel Kobe, Barcelona, Major League Soccer, UAE, Emirates, Ajman Club, “, Emirates Club, Inter Miami, MLS, Messi, Argentine, Paris Saint, Europe’s Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Japan, UAE, Ras Al Khaimah, North America, Barça, Catalonia, Catalan, ., Saudi Arabian, Europe

☆ Republic First Bancorp in preliminary talks with shareholders to raise capital
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Republic First Bancorp Inc FollowAug 29 (Reuters) - Republic First Bancorp (FRBK.PK) is in talks with a group led by activist investor George Norcross regarding an equity investment and a broader capital raise, according to a regulatory filing on Tuesday. Although discussions are still preliminary, Norcross expects that such a transaction could provide for the resolution of pending litigation involving the bank, he said in the filing. The company last week saw its shares getting delisted from the Nasdaq after it failed to file its annual report with the securities regulator for the fiscal year 2022. The company may apply to list on a major exchange after it files all delayed reports and meets other listing requirements. Reporting by Jaiveer Singh Shekhawat in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju SamuelOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: George Norcross, Norcross, Norcorss, Jaiveer Singh, Maju Samuel Organizations: Bancorp, First Bancorp, Nasdaq, Group, Thomson Locations: Philadelphia, Bengaluru

☆ Barcelona fight back to win seven-goal thriller at Villarreal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 27 (Reuters) - Barcelona fought back to secure a barnstorming 4-3 win at Villarreal on Sunday, with last year's LaLiga top scorer Robert Lewandowski bagging the winner late in the second half. However, last year's LaLiga champions woke up with Yamal creating all types of trouble for the hosts' defence. It was Barca's second win in three games this season. They are third in the LaLiga standings on seven points, level with Girona, trailing leaders Real Madrid by two points. Reporting by Fernando Kallas in Madrid Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Robert Lewandowski, Yamal, Villarreal's Alexander Sorloth, Alex Baena, Sorloth, Frenkie De Jong, Juan Foyth, Alexander Sorloth, Marc, Andre ter Stegen, Gerard Moreno, Alfonso Pedraza, Pedraza, Ferran Torres, Lewandowski, Fernando Kallas, Toby Davis Organizations: Villarreal, Barca, Girona, Real Madrid, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Norway, Madrid

☆ Lamine Yamal becomes youngest La Liga starter in 21st century in Barcelona’s 2-0 win against Cádiz
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Lamine Yamal, the youngest player to ever feature for FC Barcelona in La Liga, has now made his full debut for the club at just 16 years and 38 days old. In making his full debut in Sunday’s game against Cádiz CF, Yamal also became the youngest player to start in La Liga in the 21st century. Yamal made his La Liga debut for Barça in April during a 4-0 over Real Betis. Bruna Casas/ReutersGetting a win was vital for Barça after the La Liga champion struggled in its opening game of the season against Getafe CF. Real Mallorca forward Luka Romero, who is now at AC Milan, is the youngest player to make his La Liga debut, according to Reuters.

Persons: Lamine Yamal, Yamal, ”, Xavi, Barça, Cádiz, Joan Valls, Pedri, Ferran Torres, ” Xavi, Bruna Casas, Raphinha, Luka Romero, Romero, Francisco Bao Rodríguez, Sansón – Organizations: CNN, FC Barcelona, La Liga, Cádiz CF, Liga, Barça, Real Betis, Movistar, ” Barcelona, Cádiz, Reuters, Getafe CF, Gavi, Real Mallorca, Luka, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Celta Vigo Locations: La

☆ Barca name former midfielder Deco as new sporting director
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 - Workers and FIFA Legends Friendly match - Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar - December 12, 2022 Former Portugal player Deco warms up before the match REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsAug 17 (Reuters) - Barcelona have appointed former Portugal midfielder Deco as the club's new sporting director for the next three seasons, the LaLiga champions announced on Wednesday. The 45-year-old, who played for the Catalan club between 2004 and 2008, will replace Dutchman Jordi Cruyff. Cruyff, the son of Barca great Johan Cruyff, left in June after two years in the role. "Deco will be in charge of setting Barcelona's sporting philosophy and putting together the squad with the coach and the coaching and becoming head of the football section," the Spanish club said in a statement. Barca, who claimed their 27th LaLiga title in the last campaign, said Deco and director of football Mateu Alemany would work together until the end of the close season despite the Spaniard formally leaving the club in June.

Persons: Al Thumama, Al Omari, Dutchman Jordi Cruyff, Cruyff, Barca, Johan Cruyff, Mateu, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Robert Birsel Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA World, Qatar, Workers, FIFA, Al, REUTERS, Spaniard, Thomson Locations: Doha, Qatar, Portugal, Barcelona, Bengaluru

☆ Factbox: Brazil and Al-Hilal forward Neymar
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

* Made 33 appearances and scored 10 goals in his first league season. * Scored 42 goals in 60 appearances in all competitions in 2010 as Santos won the Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil. * Scored six goals in the 2011 Copa Libertadores as Santos won the competition for the first time since 1963. * The following season, Neymar became the fastest in the club's history to reach 50 league goals (58 games), but PSG finished second in Ligue 1. * Neymar scored 118 goals in 173 appearances in all competitions for PSG, winning 13 domestic trophies.

Persons: Neymar, Saudi Arabia's Al, Neymar da Silva Santos Jr, SANTOS, Santos, FIFA Puskas, Dunga, Pele's, Trevor Stynes, Ken Ferris Organizations: Saudi Arabia's, Paris St Germain, Portuguesa Santista, Santos, Real Madrid, Campeonato Paulista, Copa, Brasil, Libertadores, FIFA, Flamengo, South, Barcelona, Supercopa, Atletico Madrid, Barca, Champions League, Juventus, Brazilian, La Liga, Copa del Rey, PSG, UEFA, Manchester United, Rennes, Bayern Munich, Ligue, PSG's, Brazil, Confederations, Colombia, Croatia, Thomson Locations: Hilal, Spain, Barcelona, BARCELONA, Nou, BRAZIL, United States, Brazil, Germany, Belgium

☆ FC Barcelona unit to list in US via $1 bln SPAC deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A silhouette of a woman walks past behind a FC Barcelona's logo at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain, March 24, 2016. REUTERS/Albert Gea/File PhotoAug 11 (Reuters) - Spanish soccer club FC Barcelona has agreed to list its content creation unit Barca Media on Nasdaq through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company, valuing the combined entity at $1 billion. The club said on Friday the deal will fetch new capital for Barca Media, a segment that FC Barcelona expects will be "an important source of revenue in the coming years". Barca Media will start trading on Nasdaq after the deal with Mountain & Co I Acquisition Corp (MCAA.O) closes in the last quarter of this year, FC Barcelona said. A special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), also known as a blank-check company, is a listed entity that merges with a private firm to take it public.

Persons: Albert Gea, Joan Laporta, Lionel Messi, Laporta, Niket Nishant, Pritam Biswas, Krishna Chandra Organizations: FC, Camp Nou, REUTERS, FC Barcelona, Media, Nasdaq, Barca Media, FC Barcelona's, Mountain, Thomson Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Spanish, Bengaluru

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