'Argentina awarded penalty unfairly': Soccer fans demand replay of FIFA World Cup final
Around two lakh fans have handed a petition to FIFA demanding a replay of the 2022 World Cup final, where Argentina won 4-2 on penalties against France.
A MesOpinions user has said that he believes there was an unfair award of Argentina's penalty, adding that French star Kylian Mbappe was also fouled in the lead-up to Di Maria’s goal, reports The Indian Express.
The replay petition written to FIFA reads: “The arbitration was totally sold, there was never a penalty + fault on MBAPPE on the 2nd goal!!!”
Argentina opened the scoring with Lionel Messi's penalty in the 22nd minute in the final on Sunday. The lead was doubled by Angel Di Maria before halftime.
The second half, however, witnessed a twist, as Mbappe struck two back-to-back goals with a gap of a minute, in the 80th and 81st minutes, France thus equaling Argentina.
With the game extending to extra time, the drama continued. Although Messi's goal at the 108th minute gave Argentina the lead again, Mbappe took barely 10 minutes to ensure France again equalled Argentina with a hat trick in the World Cup final.
Messi won the first World Cup of his illustrious career, while it was the third World Cup for Argentina.
Mbappe has won the golden boot, having scored eight goals in the tournament.
Emiliano Martinez, who played a key role in Argentina's win in the penalties in the final and also in the win against Netherlands in the quarterfinal, won the golden glove.
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Andhra CM promises housing for all poor by 2029
Amaravati (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said his government will ensure housing for all the poor before 2029 and allocate housing plots for those who do not own land.
Addressing the Assembly, the Chief Minister urged eligible beneficiaries who have not received a house to apply, assuring that both the central and state governments would take the responsibility for providing housing to all.
“We will not only build houses for all the poor before 2029 but also provide housing plots to landless people,” said Naidu, adding that the government intends to build houses for all the poor.
Noting that the state government aims to allot housing plots to all before 2029, Naidu said it will build apartments if housing plots were not available.
Ahead of Ugadi festival in 2026, the CM said the government will organise three lakh house warming ceremonies under welfare housing, vowing to organise 10 lakh such events within 2026.
On agriculture, Naidu said the southern state accounts for 10 percent of agricultural production at the national level.
He outlined a five-pronged approach of water security, demand-driven crops, food processing, marketing and government support to develop agriculture.
In fiscal 2025 – 26, the CM said Rs 13,772 crore has been earmarked for free power to agriculture, and a financial aid of Rs 20,000 per annum is being given to farmers under Annadata Sukhibava welfare scheme.
According to him, only Rs 7,500 was given to farmers during the previous YSRCP regime. He highlighted that the TDP-led NDA government is offering more than double that amount.
The TDP supremo also announced plans to expand AI agronomist and farm mechanisation services on a large-scale.
Noting that Rs 14,230 crore investments have flowed into the food processing sector, Naidu said the government is concentrating on this front.
Observing that 15 lakh acres are under natural farming in 8,168 villages, he said the target is to expand it to 50 lakh acres.
Besides setting up a large cocoa city near Eluru, he said the government will provide power at Rs 1.5 per unit to aquaculture, among other initiatives.
Assuring continued support, Naidu said his government would stand by farmers in all circumstances and also extend assistance to tenant farmers.
Meanwhile, Irrigation Minister N Rama Naidu informed the House that water would be supplied up to Anakapalli by June 2026 through Polavaram left main canal.
He also said that the government has allocated Rs 600 crore in FY27 budget for Sujala Sravanti project in North Andhra.
The House was later adjourned till Wednesday, March 4.
