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.

Hugo Ekitike apologized to Liverpool fans for being sent off after celebrating his game-winning goal against Southampton in the English League Cup on Tuesday.

Dani Olmo scored and set up one of Ferran Torres' two goals with a neat backheel flick as Barcelona beat Getafe 3-0 in the Spanish league on Sunday.

It was the second straight game for Barcelona at its training facility as the newly renovated Camp Nou Stadium lacks the required permits.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé and England forward Chloe Kelly are among the leading contenders to win the men's and women's Ballon d'Or award on Monday.

They are frontrunners among the 30 men's and 30 women's nominees revealed last month by France Football magazine, with the winners announced at a ceremony in central Paris.

A plea bargain deal for former Juventus president Andrea Agnelli with a 20-month suspended sentence in a false accounting trial was granted by a judge Monday — possibly setting up Agnelli's return to football after his sports ban expires next month.

The trial, which began after prosecutors started investigating Juventus in 2021, contributed to Agnelli's downfall at the record 36-time Serie A champion.

Few observers imagined that top spot in the Spanish league would be up for grabs when Espanyol visits Real Madrid on Saturday.

Manchester City star Rodri still is not fully comfortable on his return from a serious knee injury and might not be risked against Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday at the end of an intense week of games, Pep Guardiola said.

Rodri, the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, was out for eight months last season with an ACL injury and is still recovering his full fitness after a setback during the summer at the Club World Cup.