South Africa was stripped by FIFA on Monday of a win in 2026 World Cup qualifying and lost top spot in its group for fielding an ineligible player.

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Monday his team is still growing in personality and spirit, following their thrashing by Atletico Madrid in La Liga.

Turkey on Friday became the first UEFA member to publicly call for Israel to be suspended from soccer, calling the situation in Gaza "inhumane and unacceptable."

Turkish Football Federation president Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu's letter to international soccer leaders comes as European body UEFA moves toward a vote to suspend Israel, whose men's team is in the middle of qualifying for next year's World Cup.

Barcelona overcame a blunder by goalkeeper Joan García to come from behind and win 3-1 at promoted Oviedo in the Spanish league on Thursday.

Barcelona trailed after García gave the ball away when he left the area and Alberto Reina scored for the hosts with a shot from near the midfield circle.

A top cycling team has been urged to remove "Israel" from its name in the face of pro-Palestinian protests.

The title sponsor of Israel Premier Tech, which competes in races around the world including the Tour de France, said on Thursday it expects the team to be rebranded.

European football body UEFA is moving toward a vote to suspend its member federation Israel over the war in Gaza, people familiar with the proposal told The Associated Press on Thursday.

A majority of UEFA's 20-member executive committee is expected to support any vote in favor of suspending Israeli teams from international play, two sources told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

Police conducted a large-scale security operation outside the stadium Wednesday ahead of Israeli team' Maccabi Tel Aviv's game against Greek club PAOK in the Europa League.

Two small protests took place earlier in Thessaloniki in northern Greece, calling for Israeli clubs to be expelled from European competition in response to mass casualties in the war in Gaza.

European football body UEFA is moving toward a vote to suspend its member federation Israel over the war in Gaza, people familiar with the proposal told The Associated Press on Thursday.

A majority of UEFA's 20-member executive committee is expected to support any vote in favor of suspending Israeli teams from international play, two sources told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the subject.

Lionel Messi went to watch some soccer on Friday. He didn't say a word about his own future.

The Inter Miami star — who is closing in on a contract extension that will keep him with his Major League Soccer club through at least the 2026 season and likely beyond — showed up to watch the global finals of the 1v1 soccer tournament that he helped create and is sponsored by a hydration drink that he co-founded.

Kylian Mbappé scored twice in three minutes and teenager Franco Mastantuono made his scoring debut with Real Madrid in a 4-1 win at Levante in the Spanish league on Tuesday, a result that extended the club's winning start to the season.

Vinícius Júnior also scored for Madrid as it earned its sixth straight league victory this season.